Delhi:
Come October and Delhi will be home to thousands of athletes from across the globe. But is the Capital prepared to host the Commonwealth Games show?
Touted as the worst in last five years, this year's dengue outbreak, just ahead of the CWG, is becoming a heartburn for the Delhi government and the Games' Organising Committee.
In just about three months, more than 3,000 cases of dengue have come to light. The much talked about Commonwealth Games Village itself is a breeding ground for dengue mosquitoes.
The reason being cited is the CWG preparations. The entire city has been dug up for a makeover and rainwater collecting in the pits have become a favourable ground for mosquitoes to breed.
''The water cannot be drained out because it's at least 30 feet below the road level. There has been spraying in the areas. But again it starts raining. So all our efforts have been brought to a naught. We're seeking help from the National Disaster Management Authority. Together we will begin operations in a day or two,'' said Dr V K Monga, the chairman of the Health Committee of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi.
From the very outset, news reports about the Delhi Games have been hitting the headlines for all the wrong reasons. Allegations of corruption, scathing criticism for lack of preparedness and now, travel advisories being issued by some countries about the dengue crisis. Surely the Delhi government is headed for some tough time in the coming days.
"'I'm losing my sleep over it,'' adds Dr Monga.
As the D-day inches closer, the government would perhaps now be praying for some divine intervention.