Talking to The Indian Express staff at the Idea Exchange programme held on Friday, Kalmadi said all issues at the Games Village have also been sorted out; with workers having been paid their dues, work at the Village had regained momentum.

He said the Capital was braced for the security challenge the Games represented. “None of the participating nations need to be worried about security arrangements. The Lieutenant-Governor himself is looking at the security and as chairperson of the Organising Committee, I can assure you that concerned agencies are pulling all stops to ensure fool-proof security during the event,” he said.

When asked about the construction of the Games Village on the Yamuna riverbed and the potential danger it poses to the river, Kalmadi said that since the matter was sub-judice he could not comment. He, however, said all suggestions to bring down the structure after the Games, to ensure that no construction is carried out there again, should be directed to the state government and not the Games committee. “I cannot take responsibility on my own and say I will bring down the Games Village after 2010. It is the Delhi government’s job and they should do whatever is suitable and in accordance with the court’s decision,” he said.

Kalmadi denied having any knowledge of the conditions under which construction workers are forced to work at the Games Village. “I have not heard before that they do not have adequate medical or health facilities. The DDA is directly responsible for providing facilities for the workers at the site but I will ensure the Organising Committee looks into the matter,” he said.