The build-up to the Games, the first time they have been staged in India and only the second occasion in Asia, have been overshadowed by fears that construction work will not be completed in time.

 

But Kalmadi said things are progressing better than expected and that they would be ready for the event, which is due to open on October 3 2010.

 

He said: "As the chairman of the managing committee of the Commonwealth Games, I'm telling you that the things are on track and everything is on schedule and some things are ahead of schedule."

 

The other big fear hanging over the Games has been security fears following the terrorist attacks in Mumbai last November and on the Sri Lanka cricket team in Lahore in March.

 

Some countries, notably Australia and New Zealand, have raised the prospect of missing the Games if they feared that the safety of the athletes was in danger.

 

But Kalmadi dismissed there concerns.

  

He said: "Two officials from the Commonwealth Games Federation have met the Home Secretary and we are in constant touch with them and we are giving them all our feedback.

 

"You know there is no question of being satisfied.

 

"It's a continuous process and we will have to do our best as far as security is concerned and we are at it."