With a number of Commonwealth Games projects running behind schedule, Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit has said she is not "totally satisfied" but is not "nervous".
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 said, 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.
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