New Delhi, Sep 21: The BJP on Tuesday said the collapse of an under-construction foot overbridge at Jawaharlal Nehru stadium and the statements of Commonwealth Games Federation President Mike Fennel show that the situation is "worrisome" and asked the government to take appropriate steps.
"The situation is worrisome. Government is unable to convince us about both the level of preparedness and the security. What will make this government understand that this is a SOS situation?" BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman said. A 95-metre long under-construction foot overbridge collapsed today evening, injuring 27 labourers, five of whom are said to be in a serious condition.
Earlier, CWG Federation President Fennel, in a letter to Cabinet Secretary K M Chandrashekar, expressed concern over the accommodation being provided to athletes at the Games Village. There are demands from countries like Canada, New Zealand, Scotland and Ireland that there players should be accommodated in hotels.
"At a time when the government should make every effort to tighten up and do a performance check, an audit check, a due diligence check and send a message to the people of India and the participants that we are indeed prepared to host these prestigious events, what we are hearing are half-hearted statements," Sitharaman said.
She demanded to know what the high-level committee of bureaucrats appointed to monitor the Games preparations was doing. "Nothing reassures us that the government is making any effort. Where is the team of top bureaucrats who were going to look into the structure, stadia and all other facilities. Immediate concerns will have to be addressed," Sitharaman said.
The senior BJP leader rubbished claims that the overbridge had collapsed due to incessant rains. "This explanation is unacceptable. Are these constructions meant only for summers? What about countries which have continuous rains?" she said.
Urban Development Minister S Jaipal Reddy had said that the foot overbridge at Jawaharlal Nehru stadium had collapsed due to rains of the last 20 days and claimed the Games would be "world-class" and the incident would not affect the sporting extravaganza. PTI
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