Gill checks up on progress of velodrome

The cycling velodrome coming up at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium complex, it seems, will be able to beat all odds and be ready for the handover to the Organising Committee of the Commonwealth Games by March next year.

On Monday sports minister MS Gill visited the venue and went around the velodrome, the main stadium as well as the wrestling hall and viewed a presentation by the CPWD engineers. “I am happy with the determination and commitment by the organisations involved in the renovation and construction of these units. Things are really looking up, especially the velodrome is very impressive and could well be an architectural marvel,” he said.

“The outer concrete structure and the steel-roofing arches are all in place but a lot of work is still to be done,” admitted the minister. He said he was sure that the “deadline will be met by February or March.” He would not, however, say when the velodrome would be handed over. “The Games are only next October. So what if they complete the job by February or March? They will be ready in good time,” he insisted.

Initially, there was a bit of confusion when the actual construction started at the velodrome as the International Cycling Union wanted a covered, air-conditioned velodrome while the Games organisers were going for the old, conventional type. But after the Commonwealth Games Federation stepped in, the matter was sorted out.

As for the main complex, where gymnastics will be held, the new air-conditioned ducts are in place, the passage to the stands have been widened, giving easy and quick access inside as well as outside.

Keeping in mind the need of VVIP demands for passes during the Games, the renovation part has taken care of additional seating arrangements on either side of the stadium. This has, however, reduced the ticket-holders capacity by at least 1,000 seats.