Roof collapses at Commonwealth Games

(GETTY IMAGES)

There was more bad news for organisers of the 2010 Commonwealth Games today when part of the ceiling at the weightlifting arena fell in.

No injuries have been reported yet after the incident at the venue, which is part of the Jawaharlal Nehru complex, the centrepiece of the Games, where a footbridge collapsed yesterday leaving over 20 people injured.

Failures in the construction of venues adds more pressure to Games organisers, with the opening ceremony just 11 days away and further concerns over security and the readiness of the athletes' village.

There are serious concerns the Games may be postponed, cancelled or see more athletes withdraw from an already-depleted competition.

The Scottish team have delayed departure while concerns over their accommodation - described as "unfit for human habitation yesterday" - are resolved.

And an Australian television channel is claiming it has uncovered serious flaws in the security cordon around the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium.

Union Cabinet Secretary KM Chandrasekhar, appointed by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to oversee Delhi's preparations, played down the latest incident.

"The cables which were to be set up for the data network were placed on the false ceiling and due to the weight of the cables the ceiling fell down," he said.

"It's a minor thing and it will be corrected. It's not a matter to be worried about."

Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit has also dismissed talk of abandoning the Games, dismissing the incidents as "minor glitches".

She added: "Do not make it look like the whole thing has collapsed.

"They are not insurmountable problems. For the past month there have been incessant rains. Sure it is a problem, but not a major one."