I had earlier questioned – Will Delhi be able to host the Commonwealth Games? We have had an egg on our face a bit too often thanks to our corrupt politicians and bureacrats. But it seems things have finally fallen in line at the last minute. Lets hope it lasts..

Looking at the pictures, I believe now you can agree with me that the Games opening ceremony will be superb (as long as no untoward incident takes place of course). Can’t be too sure about the rest of the games just yet…

Disclaimer: These pictures have probably been shot by a volunteer who is part of the preparations. I have not clicked any of the above pictures myself.

Firstly, let me put in my reaction on being in the capital after almost a year. I feel instead of growing better, its become a bit worse to live in. There’s much more traffic on the roads leading to many more jams, roads are still bad in many places, traffic rules are still not strictly enforced, people still spit on the roads with gay abandon, men still urinate on any wall they see (is that why dog is a man’s best friend…similar habits?) and you are still pestered by beggars at traffic lights.

Now the main question – Can Delhi host the Commonwealth Games? From the look of it, Delhi’s on the losing side. Whatever construction sites I’ve seen look far from completion. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi, which manages Delhi’s civic amenities (known as the most corrupt and inefficient body in this part of the world) is yet to to even begin work on most projects alloted to it according to this TOI report. Why the hell did they assign any work to the MCD in the first place!

The only silver lining for Delhi seems to be the Delhi Metro – its new and shiny underground rail transit which people swear by. Thanks to the dynamic leadership of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation director E. Sreedharan, almost all phases of the Metro have either been completed before time or on time. While major parts of Central, North and East Delhi are now connected, many parts of South and West Delhi shall be connected well before the Gamest start. A link to the Indira Gandhi International Airport is also on the brink of completion. The airport itself is under renovation since the last two years and it seems that this work too should be completed on time.

But hell-o, we need the games venues and stadia to be completed on time to host the ‘Games’. Mr Concerned department, do you think we’ll play them at the airport and metro stations? Please do the needful soon!