26 May 2010

Construction in Delhi running severely behind schedule

12:30 pm on 26 May 2010

Construction delays have raised fears that Commonwealth Games venues in Delhi, India won't be fully ready in time for the October event.

With 132 days to go, the main stadium is months overdue and completion of the swimming pool and other venues has been delayed, highlighting the slow pace of India's infrastructure development.

India had initially promised to hand over the venues to Games organisers by Dec. 31, 2009, but building targets have been consistently missed.

The chief executive of the Commonwealth Games Federation, Mike Hooper, says while he doesn't want to sound alarmist, there's still a lot more work to be done.

India's expecting two million tourists in Delhi, as well as about 10,000 athletes and officials for the October Games.