New Delhi:
All infrastructure for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi will be ready by the middle of June and tight security cover will also be in place during the October 3-14 event, a top official of the CWG Organising Committee said here on Monday.
Jiji Thomson, Special Director-General of the Organising Committee said that several steps, using state-of-the-art technologies, have been taken to tighten the security.
"There will be tight security cover at all the venues as was seen in the recent World Cup hockey and in the ongoing Indian Premier League cricket," Thomson told reporters.
"Ensuring safety of the athletes, officials and visitors during the Games would be top priority of the OC. Initially some countries expressed concern, but now everyone is fully satisfied with the security arrangements. All infrastructure will be ready by the middle of June," Thomson said.
There will be 17 events, including Rugby and Netball that have been introduced for the first time in CWG, he said, adding that about 8000 athletes were expected to participate.
"Spirits and energy levels are high and all efforts are being made to ensure that India finish among top two nations in the medal tally at Delhi 2010," he said.
The expense for the development of infrastructure was estimated at USD 2 billion, he said.
The 'Green Games' initiative is being implemented at all competition and non-competition venues, Thomson said.
"The opening and closing ceremonies will be held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and it will be a never-seen-before experience. Not only will the Games leave behind improved infrastructure and facilities for the citizens of Delhi, but will also promote investment in the city," he said.
Hosting a sporting event of the magnitude of the CWG, after the Asian Games about three decades ago, is a matter of prestige and pride for the country, he said.
"The legacy of the 19th CWG will be to make the sporting culture a part of the daily life of every Indian, particularly the youth," he hoped.
Another sector that would see substantial improvement is transportation with flyovers, broader roads, an expanded metro rail system and an integrated rail-bus transport system, he said.
The modernisation of the Indira Gandhi International Airport would go a long way towards improving India's links with the rest of the world, he added.