Cat-and-mouse 'Games' for Municipal Corporation of Delhi

Before the Commonwealth Games, Municipal Corporation of Delhi  is all set to play Tom-and-Jerry—chasing rats at sports venues in the national capital.

Armed with 600 rat traps and 100kg of rodenticide, officials of the civic body will swoop on all Games venues. The aim is to clear them of rats by mid-September.

The Commonwealth Games organising committee has asked the corporation to sanitise the venues of the mega event before the players start arriving.

The Commonwealth Games will be held in the city from October 3 to 14.

The MCD veterinary department has purchased the rat-traps and rodenticide and the items are expected to be delivered by August 20, officials said.

Venues like Games Village, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Khel Gaon, Siri Fort Fort Complex, Talkatora Stadium, Indira Gandhi Sports Complex, Yamuna Sports Complex, National Stadium, Karni Singh Shooting Range, Delhi University Sports Complex and RK Khanna Tennis Stadium will be made pest-free by the MCD.

The civic agency plans to deploy about 100 veterinary workers to catch the rats, which will be then released in the ridge area, officials said.