Damage control exercise on..!!

Union Urban Development Minister Jaipal Reddy, Delhi Cheif minister Shiela Dikshit and Organizing Committee Chief Suresh Kalmadi were quick to react to Commonwealth Games Federation Chief's concern that Delhi Commonwealth Games may be a partial failure.

In a letter to the local organizing committee, Fennell said that the current situation and delays in preparing for the Games poses a serious risk to the event. The letter expressed worry whether the event in India will match the standards set by the last two cities to host them - Manchester in 2002 and Melbourne in 2006.

Within hours of Fennell calling Prime Minister's intervention Jaipal Reddy said that preparations for the Commonwealth Games 2010 in New Delhi were on track. Speaking on the topic, Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit said India's pride is involved with the Commonwealth Games success. She said the progress is being monitored on a weekly basis and all concerns in this regard are of little consequence at this stage. Earlier on Monday, the chief minister had accepted that preparations at some venues in the capital are behind schedule.

Indian officials are expressing confidence the country will successfully host an international sports event scheduled for next year after the Commonwealth Games Federation warned the event could collapse due to lack of preparation. The Commonwealth Games will be the most high-profile sporting event to be staged in India since 1982. Officials also point to the several alarms sounded about preparations before the 2004 Olympic Games in Greece, which were staged successfully.

But despite that assurance, officials admit India will have to race against time to successfully host the Games, because much of the work is behind schedule. A government report has said work on 14 of the 19 sports venues, that are to be built for the Games, is running late. So are nine transport projects meant to improve the city's infrastructure.

Meanwhile, The Commonwealth Games Federation General Assembly is due to meet in New Delhi early next month to assess the work a year ahead of the October 2010 games.