Delhi venues to miss new completion deadline

Commonwealth Games chiefs have announced the venues for the October event will not be completed by the Indian government’s August 31 deadline.

Jaipal Reddy, the head of the group of ministers overseeing preparations for the Commonwealth Games, insisted the delay, which will be the second time a deadline has been missed in a month, will be a matter of a few days.

Speaking to reporters after the group of ministers met yesterday, Reddy said: “The schedule is not met strictly.

“It is being delayed by a couple of days because of rain and because of delay in delivery of containers.

“There will be a delay by a couple of days and not more than that.”

The August 31 deadline was put in place after the previous August 1 deadline was missed.

The Commonwealth Games, to be held from October 3 to 15 in Delhi, have been shrouded in controversy over security, allegations of corruption and delays in construction of the venues.

Following a report by India’s central vigilance commission on financial irregularities concerning the construction of Games sites, the Indian government – faced with a fear of the venues not being ready on time – had stepped in by transferring the responsibility of venues from the organising committee to the group of ministers.

Additionally, a recent dengue fever outbreak in Delhi has raised alarm among delegate nations.

The disease has claimed two lives so far in the Indian capital, the total number of cases rising to 600.

Reddy played down the situation.

He said: “We also discussed the situation arising out of dengue. I do not think the situation is that alarming, and by raising an alarm we will discourage the athletes.”