"In normal course, it would have taken six to eight months to finalise the design and complete formalities before construction on a five-star hotel starts," said K K Avarsekar, CMD of Unity Infraprojects Limited at a press conference held

"But, we managed to complete the challenging task of building the world class facilities for hosting participants from over 70 countries in one single location and an environment friendly, zero-garbage hotel with five star and three-star facilities."

"When I look back, I am overwhelmed with emotions that this Rs 300 cr edifice with 600,000 sq ft area is up, ready and running," he said.

"Many in Pune and elsewhere thought that we were made to take up the project since no one could imagine that the project of this size could be ready in a year. That did not deter us. We mobilised men and machinery to ensure that the pride of Maharashtra and India does not get dented for want of accommodation for CYG," Avarsekar said.

Had the accommodation not been ready as stipulated by the games officials, the venue would have shifted and the State would have earned a bad name. "I did not want that to happen as I am patriotic citizen," said Avarsekar.

The project faced many hurdles like the tremendous shortage of workers in the wake of the agitation against migrant labour and a Public Interest Litigation. Unity floated an SPV for the project and roped in well known hotelier cum environmentalist Vithal Kamat as a partner and operator for the eco-friendly, zero-garbage hotel.