I am not totally satisfied but not nervous: Delhi CM on CWG

Manash Bhuyan and Sreeparna C Mukhuty

New Delhi, Feb 1 (PTI) With a number of Commonwealth
Games projects running behind schedule, Delhi Chief Minister
Sheila Dikshit has said she is not "totally satisfied" with
the preparations but is not "nervous" as things would be in
place before the mega sporting event next year.

She asserted that funds would not be any constraint in
preparations for the prestigious sporting event being held in
India for the first time.

"There are some (projects) which are behind... There are
some which are, you know, beyond the schedule," she told PTI
in an interview, while talking about the preparations for the
Commonwealth Games.

Asked whether slow progress wasn't causing any anxiety,
she said "I would not say that I am totally satisfied, but I
would not say that I am nervous."

She insisted that everyone involved is doing one's best
to put everything in place. "I think everybody is trying to do
their best. It's about India's prestige."

A number of Commonwealth Games projects, including
construction of stadia and hotels, are running behind
schedule, triggering concerns as to whether everything would
be in place in time.

When pointed out that questions are being raised as to
whether preparations would be completed before the event,
Dikshit said, "All things would be in place before the games."

Likening preparations for the games to the preparations
for a marriage ceremony, the Chief Minister said, "Tell me
anywhere if you have a wedding in your house, do you have a
pandal put up one year before? You don't".

Pointing out that Commonwealth Games are important not
only for Delhi but for the entire country, Dikshit said her
government and the Centre along with various other agencies
like Delhi Development Authority and Municipal Corporation of
Delhi are working together to put everything in place in time.

"We are the host city no doubt about it. But it is also
India and its something, a commitment which has been taken on,
she said, adding "So we are putting it all together and duties
have been assigned."

The preparations are being reviewed on a monthly basis
and inspections carried out by the Sports Minister and herself
regularly, she said.

On the issue of finances, she said the central government
is quite clear that fund is not going to be the stumbling
block.

Suggesting that the projects have overrun their costs,
she said she has requested the Centre to allocate additional
fund.

"I have already met the Planning Commission Deputy
Chairperson, the Finance Minister and written to the Prime
Minister," Dikshit said, adding "everybody knows that the
costs have gone up, but because of that you are not going to
make the games into something less than what they should be".

She, however, did not spell out the amount, saying the
numbers keep fluctuating. PTI