Around 8,500 athletes and delegates are expected to visit the city in October 2010 for the nine-day sporting extravaganza. And the developers are now saying the project may still be completed on time if the government is ready to help with funds.

“All labourers have been paid wages till January and the payments for February will be made before the festival of Holi,” Arun Sahai, chief executive officer, Ahluwalia Contracts, said.

Ahluwalia Contracts say they have cut down on manpower due to a lack of funds received from Emaar MGF, developers of the Games Village along the banks of the Yamuna. “Construction of this village is now an issue of national prestige. The Delhi Development Authority can help us tide over the crisis by offering a loan on collateral basis. The DDA should not be sitting on ready cash at such a time when they do have the funds,” Sahai said.