CWG workers were demonstrating against non-payment of wages

Media tours Nehru Stadium amidst protests

CWG workers were demonstrating against non-payment of wages

It was the second day of a PR exercise by the CWG Organising Committee as journalists were given a tour of

Games venues. On Monday, it was the turn of Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium to endure the media circus. But the positive vibes were marred by 100 workers who were protesting as they hadn't been paid allegedly for the last 45 days.

Similarly another worker explained that the wage distribution system is not systematic. Labourers alleged they have been working hard for hours to finish the work on time but they are being ignored. As the security guards saw workers raising their voices and talking to the media, they were taken to the basement.

Senior officials present at the venue refuted the complaints. They said the contractor looking after the respective work will pay the workers accordingly.

Despite heavy rains on Monday evening the main stadium looked Games-ready. The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium will host the opening and closing ceremonies and the main athletic events. Even the lawn ball venue is ready for the event; just finishing touches are required at the audience arena.

"Lawn Ball venue inside the complex is world class. It is evident from the quality of the turf laid down by the Sports Authority of India (SAI). Players will definitely get the home advantage. It has been raining continuously since evening but we have covered the field areas and there is no damage to the infrastructure here. This proves that we are absolutely ready for the Games," OC secretary general Lalit Bhanot.

"JLN stadium is getting ready for the opening ceremony. The aerostat balloon will give the audience an amazing lighting experience. We are ready to deliver a world class Games," he added. On the occasion, OC vice-chairman Randhir Singh said: "Everyone has worked hard to overcome the problems, caused mostly by the monsoon. But now the time has come to look at the positives. The facilities are world class and we need to showcase them through the media."

"The make of the surface is such that it soaks water quickly and the competition can be conducted without glitches, "said Lawn Bowls Federation president, Sunaina Kumari.

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The stadium, which has a seating capacity of 60,000, has a 10-lane synthetic athletic track, a hold-up area and two warm-up areas to hold up to 1,000 athletes. "So far, we have received 970 entries in athletics and I hope the number goes up," said CK Walson, the competition manager.

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