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Despite big promises made by the government about world class sports infrastructure, several projects for the Commonwealth Games 2010 are struggling to reach even the half way mark. Yogender Malik presents an overview

New Delhi will play host to the Commonwealth Games - the third largest multi-sporting event in the world - with tens of thousands of visitors expected to visit.

As a preparation, an enormous overhaul is in progress in the city of New Delhi both in terms of the urban infrastructure as well as the sporting facilities. The city is expected to play host to about to more than 5 million visitors including 1.8 million foreigners.

Work has been on for nearly five years now with most deadlines for various projects scheduled during August to December 2009. Thanks to the preparation underway, Delhi is now expected to be a world class city before the games begin.

The sporting venues for the Commonwealth Games are distributed across Delhi. The events will be taking place in the already existing outdoor and indoor stadiums like Indira Gandhi Indoor Complex, Talkatora Indoor stadium, Siri Fort Sports Complex along with a number of newly constructed stadiums.

The state-of-the-art Games Village coming up near Akshar Dham temple will be the chief venue for most of the gaming activities.

Games village

Created at a cost of US$ 230.7 million (including the residential zone), the Games Village will be spread over an area of 158.4 acre. This mega complex will actually be an integrated township built by MGF group in partnership with the Dubai based Emaar Properties. It will have stadiums that will hold sports events along with residential complexes to provide accommodations to participants, staff and volunteers.

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Besides hosting the all important opening and closing ceremony, this venue will be the centre for athletics and weightlifting events. With a capacity for 3000 athletes, the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium will be the hub for the games and will also have dope testing centre.

The original capacity of 75,000 seats is being reduced to 66,000 seats due to the allied activities. Central Public Works Department (CPWD) and Nagarjuna Constructions are in-charge of this key site.

Work on the lower tier is complete but the stadium’s hollow are still dug up. German design for the exteriors isn’t finished though the pillars are in place. Both the players involved are confident of meeting the November deadline but we estimate that they are likely to cross the budget.

Indira Gandhi Sports Complex

It will be hosting cycling, gymnastics and wrestling events for the games. Renovation work is going on at full speed at the indoor stadium. A new roof is being laid, which is almost complete.

If no last minute glitches appear then the December deadline is most likely to be met. CPWD, who is in charge of construction activities, has crossed the budgetary allowances by more than 100%. Seating capacity for the gymnastics event is being reduced from 22,000 to 16,000.

Karni Singh Shooting Range

Located near Faridabad and close to the famous Tughlaqabad fort, the shooting venue will have five buildings for different shooting distances apart from an armoury.

Each building will have a capacity for about 500 spectators. CPWD is currently renovating this venue and is likely to finish the work by early September.

In terms of budget, Rs50 crore has been set aside for the building work, while Rs20 crore is earmarked for the interiors. According to an official, the allocated budget for the interiors may fall short of the actual requirement.

Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium

It has been the venue for hockey events since the forgettable hockey final of Asian games 1982, when India lost to Pakistan by 7-1. Sitting glued to our newly acquired coloured TV, one has vivid memories of that match.

CPWD is giving a complete makeover to this venue and October deadline is most likely to be met as most of the work is over and laying of astro-turf and interiors renovation is left. Budgeted allowance of Rs113 crore too is expected to be sufficient. The stadium will have a seating capacity for 20,000 spectators with the provision for two thousand more for the final match.