- Title: INDIA: Army hands over reconstructed footbridge for Commonwealth Games to Delhi
- Date: 2nd October 2010
- Summary: NEW DELHI, INDIA (OCTOBER 01, 2010) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC) COMMONWEALTH GAMES FOOT BRIDGE VEHICLES PASSING UNDER THE BRIDGE ARMY OFFICIAL WALKING ON THE BRIDGE ARTIFICIAL GRASS ON THE BRIDGE LIGHTS BRIDGE DINESH KHANNA, COMMANDING OFFICER OF THE ENGINEERS REGIMENT, STANDING WITH AN ARMY OFFICIAL BRIDGE OVERVIEW OF JAWAHARLAL NEHRU STADIUM (SOUNDBITE) (English) DIN
- Embargoed: 16th October 2010 22:09
- Keywords:
- Location: India
- Country: India
- Topics: Sport
- Reuters ID: LVAZ1XCXIP2W4Z8ILVUURWW9EMM
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3
- Story Text: Personnel of the Indian Army handed over a reconstructed footbridge to the Delhi state authority on Friday (October 1), just in time for the Commonwealth Games.
The construction work on the Bailey bridge had recommenced on Saturday (September 25).
"260 feet Bailey Bridge at this location commenced on September 25 in the afternoon. Hundreds of boys of my regiment worked on this bridge over the past five days. The bridge stands completed. It has been evaluated for safety by our technical board, and is declared fit and safe for pedestrians and traffic," said Dinesh Khanna, the Commanding Officer of the Engineers regiment.
Khanna said that the delivery of the bridge came as promised to the state authority - within five days of the Army taking charge.
He added that the bridge was now safe and easily usable for pedestrians and tourists, who would be visiting during the Commonwealth Games 2010.
The footbridge opposite Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, one of the main Games venues, collapsed on Tuesday (September 21), injuring at least 23 labourers.
The incident highlighted fears of shoddy workmanship after severe criticism about the facilities for athletes.
The collapse had come just 11 days before the opening of the Commonwealth Games.
Heavier-than-usual monsoon rains, graft scandals and traffic snarls caused by work being done on roads ahead of the Games have compounded problems.
The event, already the most expensive Commonwealth Games ever with official estimates of $3 billion, has been marred by charges of rampant corruption, dubious contracts and poor workmanship in the past few months.
Apart from around 7,000 athletes from 71 teams representing 54 Commonwealth member states, New Delhi is expecting a huge inflow of sports enthusiasts and tourists during the games.
The Commonwealth Games 2010 will be held from 3 to 14 October in New Delhi. - Copyright Holder: ANI (India)
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