September 26, 2010 6:12 PM

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Delhi gearing up for XIX Commonwealth Game

Delhi is gearing up for the Commonwealth Games as players and delegates from the participating countries start arriving in the national capital. Teams from 14 countries have already reached New Delhi, while more are scheduled to arrive tonight. The first batch of the 500 member English team which arrived yesterday will be checking in the Games Village later this evening. All 71 countries have confirmed their participation in the Games. The first batch of athletes from Scotland has also arrived. 280 athletes from the country will be arriving in batches. A 15 members from 203 member team of Malayasia has also checked in the Games village last night. Others will be reaching tomorrow. Over 200 Indian athletes and delegates including hockey, weightlifting, boxing and shooting teams have also checked in the village. More players and athletes will be joining them in the next few days. Meanwhile, the cleanliness drive is at its last leg as many athletes and teams had reservations over hygiene. The process of cleanliness is still on and it is expected to be over by tonight. Chief Minister Sheila Dixit who visited the Games village thrice today, took stock of the situation. She assessed maintenance, security and other facilities for athletes and international delegates. She also met the Cabinet Secretary K M Chandrashekhar during one of the inspections. According to officials, the village can presently accommodate over 7,000 athletes and delegates. Arrangements have also been made for athletes and delegates in some five star hotels. Meanwhile, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation says express metro rail from international air port to New Delhi Railway Station is expected to be operational before the start of the games. The spokesman of the corporation Anuj Dayal said that the DMRC will earmark one bogey for ladies in each train from 2nd of next month to encourage women spectators to witness the games. A world class facility for treatment of sports injuries was also launched at Safadarjung hospital in New Delhi today by the Prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh. This is the first ever dedicated sports injury center in the country equipped with state of art operation theaters with facility of video conferencing and modern diagnostic facilities. Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said, the center aims to provide world class treatment for sports related injuries besides catering to the needs of players participating in Commonwealth Games.AIR correspondent reports that a four tier security apparatus is in place to ensure incident free Games. Over one thousand security personnel have been deployed to guard the Commonwealth Games Village. Along the routes, quick reaction team vehicles are parked with ITBP and Delhi police commandos keeping a close eye on the movement of traffic. Australia, which had earlier expressed apprehension over the security, is now satisfied over the arrangements. Two special police stations one at Paharganj and other at the games village are being set up to cater to tourists and sports persons. A special bus service is being launched by Delhi tourism department for the benefit of tourists. A festival of India showcasing India's varied and rich cultural canvas is also on in Delhi. 160 nations will broadcast the games live. All India Radio and Doordarshan are the official broadcasters. Over 750 low floor air conditioned DTC buses are being deployed to pick and drop athletes and officials at 17 competition venues. Delhi government has appealed to people to make Delhi smoke free before the Games. Delhi government has already issued orders for the closure of schools and colleges from 2nd to 17th of next month.

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