The Hindu : Sport : C’Wealth Games: costs to shoot up

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C’Wealth Games: costs to shoot up

Sports Reporter

NEW DELHI: Keeping in view the price rise of raw materials, construction cost for the 2010 Commonwealth Games is expected to go up, the Sports Minister M. S. Gill said here on Friday.

Gill, held discussions with the top officials of the Sports Authority of India and CPWD about the construction of stadia and said he was ready to face the challenge of the hike in construction costs.

“Prices of iron and cement are going up everyday and as a result, the cost of construction are expected to escalate. It has happened in the case of London Olympics (to be held in 2012) as well. It has to be dealt with,” he said.

The Minister, who visited Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium and Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium on Friday, hoped the venues would be handed over to the Games’ Organising Committee in time.

“A lot of work has been done and a lot is needed to be done. A harmonious and collective effort is going on to finish the projects as early as possible. I expect all the venues will be handed over by November 2009 so that we can hold some testing events before the Commonwealth Games,” he said.

Significant development

In a significant development, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on Thursday sanctioned Rs 678 crore for training country’s medal prospects for the Games.

Thanking Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for his support for the preparation of Commonwealth Games, Gill said almost all the expenses had been sanctioned.

“Most of the finances in regard to the Games have already been sanctioned, except for Rs 20 crore for the shooting range. But in the coming months, I will get it sanctioned from the Cabinet.” Gill said he would conduct a regular review the preparations for the Games and the next meeting would be held on July 9.

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