Ranchi, Aug. 1: Taking an optimistic stand, the National Games Organising Committee (NGOC) has initiated steps for floating a tender for vehicles required for the Games.

Playing down the impact of heavy rains on construction work, and the possibility of the delay in hosting the Games, NGOC organising secretary (I) S.M. Hashmi is ready with a list of vehicles required for smooth conduct of the Games.

Around 500 cars and 60 AC buses would be required from November 27 to December 17 during the Games. Five of the cars would be super-luxury, 20 luxury, the remaining air-conditioned and 50 ordinary. “Some cars and vehicles will reserved for unexpected arrivals,” Hashmi said.

“For the Games, Indian Olympic Association has to follow protocol. Any lapse on this count would be severely reprimanded,” an official said.

On the priority list, according to the protocol, the IOA president and secretary-general come first. They would be allotted super luxury cars. Members of the IOA executive council, sports ministers of states, important officials and dignitaries would travel in luxury cars. Technical officials, who are the last on the list, would be using plain cars.

“We also have to be ready to provide vehicles to participating athletes who want to travel to Dhanbad or Jamshedpur to watch some events on their off days,” he said. Of the 60 AC buses, 40 will be based in Ranchi and 20 each at Dhanbad and Jamshedpur.

Talking about preparations for the Games, Hashmi said: “A team of experts from the national rowing federation will be in Dhanbad on Sunday to prepare the Maithon dam for water sports. As construction of the jetty and other support systems will be done by the national federation experts, there will be no delay due to any technical snag.”

“The two courts for squash will be easily set up because a major part of a modern squash court comes readymade and the brick and mortar work is not much. We are working in advance. I’ve already sent invitation letters to state sports associations, national federations, chief ministers and sports ministers. Replies from some of them have also been received,” Hashmi said.

However, the ground reality is different. The renovation of the lone astro-turf and the construction of the practice turf on the adjoining piece of land was hit by the rains. Renovation and laying of fresh grass at the Birsa stadium and construction work at the main site in Hotwar was also affected.

A senior sports official said: “We are not even in a position to hold a state-level meet to test each aspect of the infrastructure by October 15.”