New Delhi:
India will spend an estimated Rs 10,555 crore in hosting next year's Commonwealth Games, the government said on Tuesday.
Replying to a question in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Sports and Youth Affairs Pratik Prakashbapu Patil said that the Organising Committee would also generate revenue of around Rs 1,708 crore from ticketing, broadcasting, sponsorship, licensed merchandise and donations.
Patil, however, admitted that there have been instances of delays in a few projects, but assured that a 'recovery schedule' has been put in place to complete all the works, including the venues, well before the October 3-14 Games.
The CWG OC has already drawn flak from different quarters for the tardy preparation of quadrennial sporting extravaganza to be held here.
Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium -- venue of both the inaugural and closing ceremonies, besides track and field events --would be ready by mid-February next year, while the works in the Games Village would be over by the end of March.
Sports Minister MS Gill, replying to another question, said international delegates, who recently visited the venues in the capital, were happy with the preparations.
"General Assembly of the Commonwealth Games Federation was held from October 4-13 in Delhi. The delegates, observers and other eminent sportspersons who attended the General Assembly and other meetings have expressed satisfaction over the preparedness," Gill said.
"Preparedness are being closely monitored at all levels. Works at the sports infrastructure projects are progressing at rapid pace and they will be completed in time for the Games," he said.