Spurred into action by last year’s terror attacks on Mumbai and on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Pakistan in March, the Indian governmnet is doing its best to ensure a safe Commonwealth Games in New Delhi next year.
Sports minister Manohar Singh Gill said organizers are ready with their plan to counter the risk of a terrorist attack during the Commonwealth Games. “Every road, stadium and car park will be centrally monitored,” Gill said adding that a lot of work needs to be done.
Assuring the athletes and spectators, Gill said elaborate security measures were planned for the event. “Safety is an issue we have to deal with. We’ll provide a secure Commonwealth Games,” Gill said.
He said the government would form a Games task force comprising officials from several security agencies, and security arrangements will be put through a drill during trial events. He said participants, spectators and all the venues will be under electronic surveillance during the Games next year.
“The home ministry is leaving no stone unturned to make the 2010 Games safe… Every road, stadium and car park will be centrally monitored,” Gill added. He also said, “Home Minister P Chidambaram and Lt Governor (Tejinder Khanna) are also working on it. We are working and it will be delivered,” he said.
Gill said around 35,000 volunteers, mainly school and college students associated with NCC, NSS and Delhi University will be trained for the Commonwealth Games.