Security agencies have raised concerns over the delay in construction of the Commonwealth Games venues saying it is becoming difficult to put up a tamper-proof security mechanism in place.
By the original plan, the 63 venues of the CWG were to be handed over to security agencies by August 1. According to top sources in the government, this delay in handing over the Games sites has forced a rejig in the security arrangements that involves deployment of 100,000 personnel. This includes the elite National Security Guards (NSG), Delhi Police and central paramilitary forces.
According to the revised plan, the Games village will be handed over to the Delhi police in the next few days. After a thorough security check, the police will “seal” the village till the athletes start arriving in Delhi. The other venues will be sanitised in a phased manner.
Top sources said, the government is “concerned” over the delay in handing over of the Games Village and the 12 stadia, making it difficult for the necessary security arrangements that needs to be place.
Sources said the security agencies need to carry out anti-sabotage checks. “This entire process should have been ideally completed by August 1 but we have unfortunately missed the deadline.”
The entire process would now take even longer as security agencies would need time to install CCTV cameras, carry out anti-sabotage checks and detail checking of the structures.
“The security forces are already carrying out mock drills because it is not just the venues that have to be secured but the entire city needs to be protected. We don’t want a situation where venues are safe but there is lack of security in the city markets or busy public places,” said the official.
“The army will not be called in to run the show but they would be on standby. Indian Air Force choppers and BSF personnel will be on standby to provide a better security cover.”
