Sports minister allays Commonwealth Games venue fears

Labourers work at the Talkatora Stadium, one of the venues for the New Delhi Commonwealth Games August 24, 2009.

CHENNAI (Reuters) - Sports minister Manohar Singh Gill has dismissed fears that venues for the Commonwealth Games wil not be ready in time, despite a government report suggesting many of the projects are running late.

Indian media reported last week that an evaluation audit of the venues suggested "serious delay" in the planning and implementation of 13 of the 19 sports venues either under construction or renovation for the October 2010 Games.

The Times of India quoted from the government report that nine projects to improve New Delhi's congested road network were also at "high risk" of not being completed in time.

However, the sports minister expressed confidence the venues would be ready after visiting the stadiums on Monday.

"Every human efforts are being put in to deliver the sporting facilities well before the time," Gill said in a statement.

Accompanying the sports minister were officials of the Central Public Works Department, Sports Authority of India, New Delhi Municipal Corporation and representatives of the organising committee.

Venue delays forced the world badminton championship to be moved to Hyderabad earlier this month and other international meets scheduled over the next few months have also been affected.

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