INDIA’S foreign minister has told the BBC that the Delhi Commonwealth Games will meet international standards, amid concerns over hygiene and safety.
SM Krishna said India would be “able to deliver” on next month’s Games.
His comments come after complaints from several countries and the withdrawal of some athletes amid security concerns.
Mr Krishna said a prolonged monsoon had hampered preparations, but offered reassurance that security would be provided for every athlete and stadium.
“The Commonwealth Games will be conducted according to international standards … and it will be one of the most successful Games yet,” said Mr Krishna.
On Tuesday, a footbridge under construction collapsed near the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium – the main Games venue – injuring 27 workers. On Wednesday, a section of ceiling caved in at the weightlifting venue.
The state of the athletes’ village has also come in for criticism, with complaints of flooding, rooms soiled by excrement and stray dogs sleeping on some beds.
The Scottish team say they will not travel until the site is “secure”. The English and Welsh teams have also yet to make final decisions about taking part, though the first group of 22 English athletes is expected to fly out to Delhi today.
The event has been plagued by construction delays, allegations of corruption and a dengue fever outbreak in the Indian capital.
A particularly heavy monsoon season on the subcontinent has hampered construction and clean-up efforts. Flooding on a huge scale has devastated parts of Pakistan and killed at least 70 people in northern India.
The negative publicity has forced a few high-profile athletes to withdraw from the Games, says the BBC’s sports news reporter Alex Capstick, but fears many more would follow have yet to be borne out.
Security fears were heightened at the weekend when two tourists were wounded by gunmen on a motorbike near the Jama Masjid mosque in the capital.
The local organising committee has said the city will be ready in time for the imminent arrival of participants.
Committee secretary-general Lalit Bhanot said some athletes might pull out because of injury or other reasons, but there would still be “a very good field”.

SECURITY CONCERNS
A host of the world’s leading athletes have pulled out of the event, with English athletes Phillips Idowu, Christine Ohuruogu and Lisa Dobriskey the most recent withdrawals.
Ticket sales have been disappointing and the cost of hosting the largest sporting event in the country’s history has soared, making it the most expensive Games in history, with estimates ranging from $3bn to more than $10bn, as organisers attempt to complete work which only began in 2008. (BBC Sport)