Games venues likely to be handed over to police by September 7

The government cannot commit whether all Commonwealth Games venues will be handed over to the Delhi Police by September 7, so that security facilities can be put in place.

Home Minister P. Chidambaram, who conducted a security review on Wednesday, said the police will have one week to put all security overlays — metal barriers, tyre busters, CCTVs and metal detectors — and conduct anti-sabotage drills before another review is done on September 15.

However, asked if all venues would be ready in time for the handover, Urban Development Minister Jaipal Reddy could only say: “They will be more or less ready for takeover by security.”

He was speaking to journalists after a meeting of the Group of Ministers (GoM) on the Games late on Wednesday evening.

Rain worry

This points to yet more delay and extended deadlines, for which the GoM is largely pinning the blame on the weather. “We are worried about the rains,” said Sports Minister M.S. Gill.

Despite this worry, the GoM could not reveal any contingency plan in case the downpours continue during the Games itself. “If it rains one or two days before October 3, we could have a plan-B,” said Mr. Reddy. “Some items could be reviewed.”

The opening and closing ceremonies were discussed in detail at the GoM meeting, but the Ministers studiously avoided comment on the reports that some sections have been disappointed by A.R. Rahman's theme song. “I have nothing to say on that. It has been approved by the GoM,” said Mr. Gill. “The theme song was entrusted to Rahman. His word is the last word,” added Mr. Reddy