Are We ready for Commonwealth Games??

Today, when I was reading an Article in Times of India about the lagging preparations of CWG 2010, few thoughts crossed my mind. I felt so strongly about it that I decided to make it the first post for my blog.So here it is...

As all of us know that India is going to host Commonwealth Games 2010.It's after a long span of 26 years (read 1983 Asian Games) that Delhi has got a chance to host any sport event of great significance. Last year we saw how Peking has shown its might by organising a perfect Olympics.Now it's time New Delhi do the same.

But are we ready as a Nation to host CW2010? That is the big question we need to answer sooner than later. As expected projects for CW games are lagging behind by months.Still 40% of the work is pending. Moreover many of the projects which were initially supposed to be completed by CW games have now been delinked from CWG and thus postponed.But politicians and government officials are still in a slumber. As if some divine intervention will happen.

In the recent report submitted by Comptroller and Auditor General, concern has been shown over the delay in projects.Some projects are far behind their deadlines.Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium,primary venue for the games, is yet to be renovated.It is not unlikely that the quality of work will be compromised to complete the work in a slapdash manner,as has happened in the past.

Besides lagging projects in Games Village, other infrastructure developments are also in danger. It is expected that Delhi will fall short of Hotel rooms for visiting tourists.Public transport in Delhi has always been a cause of concern.Crumbling Metro has compounded the problems.How Delhi will cope with 1 mn tourists is still something to ponder.India's airports are notorious for their inefficiencies.It seems highly improbable that IGIA will be ready to bear such a load of tourists by October ,2010.

This is not the end of our problems. The behaviour of Delhites towards foreigners is shameful.

Security is another concern.We all saw last November how a handful of terrorists held Mumbai at ransom for 60 hrs.And the same can't happen in Delhi is arguable.Any unforeseeable incident can lead to ignominy for India internationally.

There is no end to such problems.But should all these problems deter India from organizing CWG? No,it's a matter of national pride now.Government should spread general awareness about CWG 2010.Thousands of volunteers should be trained to treat our "Atithis" with courtesy politeness.Projects should be accelerated on priority basis.With a concerted action of people of Delhi and government bodies we can still pull it off.But how well,only time will tell.