Bridge Collapses In India, Country About To Host Commonwealth Games

The bridge next to Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the main Games venue, fell apart today.

The bridge was meant to connect the parking lot of the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium where the opening and closing functions of Commonwealth Games would be held.

The footbridge collapsed into three pieces, taking several workers with it and uprooting one side of the arch that supported it.

According to Raj Kumar Chauhan, a Delhi minister for development “This will not affect the Games. We can put the bridge up again, or make a new one.”

He also mentioned the fact that the accident occurred as the workers were applying a concrete layer to the structure.

27 people had been injured in the incident, four of them seriously, in the collapse.

Speaking about the incident Bhanot said, “The collapse of the foot over-bridge is unfortunate, but we assure you that it will not have any effect on the Games.”

“All Games have such problems, we are glad that this happened now. The Games will be unaffected,” Bhanot added.

Speaking about the incident Bhanot, the Organizing Committee General Secretary said, “The collapse of the foot over-bridge is unfortunate, but we assure you that it will not have any effect on the Games.”

“All Games have such problems, we are glad that this happened now. The Games will be unaffected,” Bhanot added.

“We understand the concerns of member countries here for participation in CWG, but the situation is under control,” OC General Secretary Lalit Bhanot said.

Even though officials from the Ministry of Sports promised last year that the Games village would be ready in March of 2010 it seems that Indian authorities haven’t managed to finish it.

“The condition of the residential zone has shocked the majority,” the Commonwealth Games Federation president, Michael Fennel, said in a statement Monday evening. Fennel said he had sent a letter to India’s union cabinet secretary. The Games village is “seriously compromised,” he said.

He seems not to be the only one being worried about the situation. Team leaders from countries such as England, Scotland, Wales, New Zeeland, Australia and Canada expressed their concerns about the towers which are intended to host the 6500 athletes during the games. Complains have been made regarding the incomplete plumbing and electrical work as well as the filthy area.

Still, according to Lalit Bhanot “The rooms of the Games village are clean according to you and me, but they have some other standard of cleanliness.”

It seems that somehow the officials involved in the organization of the Games are mocking at the other countries, when stating that there are different standards of cleanliness.

Despite the general discontent, the Commonwealth Games England stated that they remain “optimistic” that the country’s team would still take part.

“However, there is a lot still to be done in the village and this needs to be done with some urgency so that it is ready for the arrival of our first athletes on Friday.”

The optimism shown by England was not embraced by other countries as well, as it is the case of New Zealand. Dave Currie, the head of New Zealand’s Commonwealth Games team, said today that the athletes’ village was in such poor shape that the games might need to be canceled.

Security issues have also been raised after last Sunday’s gunfire attack on a tourist bus. New fears about Delhi’s ability to keep athletes and visitors safe during the Games appear to have been prompted by the recent attack.

But, as international security experts said the risk of terrorist attacks in New Delhi seems to be higher in the period following the Games than during the Games themselves.

Curse or merely negligence – can one mention such things when talking about the upcoming Games organized by India? The third largest multi-sport event in the world, the Delhi Games faces serious troubles. Can Indian authorities finally ensure a smooth going of the Games which are about to begin in 12 days’ time?11