New Delhi, June 29 (IANS) Completed in a record 17 months time, a new international-standard cycling velodrome at the Indira Gandhi Stadium, which is a Commonwealth Games venue, was inaugurated Tuesday with Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit saying that the ‘job has been done elegantly and beautifully’.
The velodrome, which was inaugurated by Sports Minister M.S. Gill, is fully covered and air-conditioned with a 250-metre-long timber track. Built at a cost of Rs.150 crore, it has a seating capacity of 3,800.
Speaking at the function, Gill complimented all officials and the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) for completing the construction work in record 17 months. He said the rest of the stadia will be delivered to the organising committee of the Commonwealth Games in the next few days.
The new look velodrome is the first of its kind in the country and meets all the international standards.
‘It’s a special occasion today. We have to be proud as despite some issues, it has come up in just 17 months. The other venues are also ready and I am just fixing the dates for their inauguration,’ Gill told the gathering.
The velodrome has been certified by International Cycling Federation (UCF) as a Category 1 Cycling Velodrome.
Commonwealth Games Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi and S.S. Dhindsa, the president of the Cycling Federation of India were also present at the function.
‘For the construction of the venue, credit should go to the Sports Authority of India and CPWD. The job has been done elegantly and beautifully. I have begun to feel that these will be the best Commonwealth Games,’ Dikshit said.
Kalmadi said: ‘I can say that all the venues are world class, but there is a tie between Thyagraj stadium and this velodrome. It was a challenge but finally the velodrome has turned out to be the best.’
