NEW DELHI: In further embarrassment, parts of a ceiling at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the main Commonwealth Games venue, fell on Wednesday but the Centre and Delhi government remained unfazed by the all-round attack over such incidents and instead targeted the media for highlighting “minor glitches.”

The Union Urban Development Minister, Mr Jaipal Reddy and Delhi Chief Minister, Ms Sheila Dikshit made light of the criticism over the preparations and counselled the media to “see the positive aspects” of the mega sporting event rather than portraying a “negative image.”
Talking in unison, they insisted that the Games were “not collapsing” and all problems were being addressed. “I would like to tell you very categorically that these minor glitches and hitches do come around...But to make out as the whole thing is collapsing - I am sorry, we do not agree with that,” Ms Dikshit told reporters. “There may be minor glitches. We should try to remove the shortcomings...There may be water dripping somewhere. A wall may collapse due to rain. That does not mean the whole Games is bad,” she said.
This assertion came on a day when three tiles of the false ceiling fell at the Ambedkar Weightlifting Auditorium in the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. Nobody was, however, injured in the incident which occurred a day after a 95-metre hanging bridge being constructed for the Games collapsed outside the Nehru Stadium, injuring 27 people.
Mr Reddy said personnel from Telecommunications Consultants India Limited (TCIL) were working on the false ceiling to lay cables when some part of it fell.
“All these (incidents) are not obstacles. These are hiccups,” Mr Reddy said, seeking to downplay the incidents. “There will be some problems. There are some problems. But they are not insurmountable. If there is any concern or there is any problem, they will be addressed to,” said an unfazed Ms Dikshit who is under increased attack after Tuesday’s bridge collapse.
Mr Reddy, who on Tuesday described the bridge collapse as “not a major” issue, on Wednesday said the media was overplaying such incidents including the falling off of ceiling tiles. “I do not think we should overestimate the importance of such incidents,” said Mr Reddy, who is also the head of the Group of Ministers looking after all aspects of the CWG preparations.
“We have done everything possible...We have constructed beautiful stadiums, we have created so much beautiful infrastructure, there is greenery everywhere. Why cannot you see all these? I have not seen any country where people (criticise) their own country...Please become positive. This is your country,” Ms Dikshit counselled the media. She said the “unprecedented rains” have affected the preparations. “I think the rain we have this year is the highest in last 50-60 years,” she said. Mr Reddy said all the venues are in “perfect shape” and that all of them have been handed over to police for security.