New Delhi: Suresh Kalmadi, Chairman of the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee, yesterday allayed fears that the upcoming mega sporting event would be a disaster, claiming it would be the best Commonwealth Games ever.
"All infrastructure is in place and it is going to be world class. I cannot tell you which is the best stadium — each is better than the next," Kalmadi told Gulf News.
According to Kalmadi, the Commonwealth Games has set the national capital up for at least the next seven years, as the infrastructure will leave a legacy. The buildings, roads, flyovers, airport and metro will remain long after the Games are over, he said.
Many of these developments would have happened sooner or later, but have come about now due to the Commonwealth Games.
The chief of the organising committee claimed that everything was in place, though they still have 31 days to prepare. Reacting to suggestions that the Commonwealth Games should be held abroad due to inadequate preparations, Kalmadi said that the same things were said ahead of the Fifa World Cup, which was hosted by South Africa, and was a great success.
Kalmadi sounded confident that two major concerns, namely security and the outbreak of dengue fever in the metropolis, would be overcome by the time visitors start arriving.
"Security has been a major issue ever since we bid for the event. People are concerned. We have had many security drills. The home minister, home secretary and Delhi lieutenant governor are monitoring it at their level. Our responsibility is to provide security to all visitors from the time of their arrival to the time of their departure and that will be done," Kalmadi said.
He added that security officials from all 71 participating countries had visited New Delhi recently and returned home fully convinced and satisfied with the security preparations.
As for dengue fever, Kalmadi said that health authorities were on a war footing to counter the disease.
"All bodies of water have been treated with chemicals. We are fumigating twice a day at all Games venues and the Games Village," he said.
