Village security raised

NEW DELHI (AP):

The elaborate three-tier security at the New Delhi Commonwealth Games Village is pleasing visiting teams.

An elaborate police security net at the village includes at least three checkpoints.

"There had been apprehension about security, but the Common-wealth Games Federation officials are happy and no one is afraid now," organising committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi said recently.

The chefs-de-mission of England and Wales were among the officials who declared their satisfaction after touring the village, ahead of the games which start in just over two weeks.

Craig Hunter, leading England's largest-ever overseas Common-wealth Games squad of 371, said the team will begin moving into the village this weekend.

"We are happy with the security arrangements," Hunter said. "If athletes did not want to come here because of security fears, they would not come. Whenever you travel, there will be problems, but our issues and concerns have been addressed."

Chris Jenkins, heading the Wales team, said he was very impressed with the security at the village.

"There have been a number of security advisers over the past two years and we have ourselves exchanged a lot of ideas with countries like Canada and New Zealand," he said. "That has helped us prepare better for this tour."

Around 8,000 athletes and officials will stay at the village for the games from October 3-14.

Buses arrive

The country's largest public transport bus depot that will provide parking space for about 1,000 buses during the Commonwealth Games, was commissioned last Friday by Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.

Having come up opposite the Millennium Park on Ring Road on the banks of the Yamuna, the bus depot and logistic centre will also provide parking for various escort vehicles to be used during the Games.

The Millennium Park Bus Depot has come up on a fly ash pond that used to be the dumping site for waste generated by the nearby thermal power stations. But now the area has been developed on the green concept and boasts environment-friendly features.

Ms. Dikshit said the commissioning of the bus depot has ushered in a new era in creation of a world-class road transport facility.

The depot also comprises a logistics centre that will monitor the movement of buses and plan the trips to ensure greater punctuality and regularity in the plying of buses on city routes.

Transport Minister Arvinder Singh Lovely said 6,000 buses will be used during the Games. This will include 1,500 buses exclusively for players, media persons and officials.