Chief minister Madhu Koda and officials at the meeting. Telegraph picture

Ranchi, May 6: Chief minister Madhu Koda today pulled up various government departments for the sluggish pace of work in the run-up to the National Games scheduled to be held in the state by the end of the year.

At a meeting to monitor the preparations, the group of ministers in attendance agreed that while work on the sports infrastructure was progressing satisfactorily, it was the peripheral but crucial issues like roads and beautification that were suffering.

According to those present at the meeting, Koda observed that if work was carried out in “this sluggish pace” it would be very difficult to complete everything by September 30.

For instance, as many as nine roads in the state capital were to be widened within six months. At the last meeting of the national games organising committee, Koda had issued specific directions to the concerned officials about the need for urgency. But today, the chief minister was upset to note that the groundwork on most was yet to begin.

Among the roads/stretches to be widened were: the road between the overbridge and the Ranchi railway station, Siramtoli and NH-33 via Chutia, Kantatoli and Dipatoli, ATI and Bootimore, Birsa Munda airport and Hinoo chowk, Albert Ekka chowk and Kokar via Lalpur and Patel Chowk and Kantatoli. But so far, only stretch between ATI and Bootimore had been taken up for widening.

Beautification of the capital was also suffering. Arrangements for water storage were to be completed by May 15, but the group of ministers observed that it was likely to be delayed inordinately.

Koda also took stock of various hospitality measures: 584 AC rooms and 738 non-AC rooms available in different hotels of the city would be able to accommodate 2,500 guests, while 1,200 flats at Khelgaon, dormitories and hostels would accommodate 10,000 players.

For the transportation of guests and players, 40 luxury cars, 281 AC cars, 1,200 ordinary cars and 100 buses would be required for 20 days.

Among those who attended the meeting were deputy chief minister Stephen Marandi, sports minister Bandhu Tirkey, chief secretary A.K. Basu and several secretaries.