India ups budget for Delhi Games

India has doubled its funding for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

The government approved a revised budget of £207m ($344m), a substantial increase on the £98m ($163m) initially allocated, Indian media said.

The information minister said the extra money would provide for "the inclusion of new items that are essential for the successful delivery of the games".

Repeated concerns have been voiced over whether India will be ready in time for the event.

The Commonwealth Games open on 3 October next year and run until 14 October.

Delhi has been undertaking major infrastructure work, including the installation of new metro lines, in preparation for the competition.

But a number of deadlines have been missed, prompting warnings from games officials.

Two months ago games chief Mike Fennell said that delays in construction work at venues posed a serious threat to the event.

But international experts are being brought in to assist in areas such as logistics, ticketing and operations, and India's organising committee says everything will be ready.

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