Delhites, despite the pains and harassment the authorities have subjected them to in the name of CWG preparation, are backing the Games - or so a report says.

“Delhiites seem to be now wishing to see a successful Commonwealth Games to restore the prestige of the nation,” says FICCI CWG survey.

“74 percent people expect Delhi to be a better place to live after the CWG, 2010,” one of the highlights of the survey.

The survey also felt the CWG will proveide a much-needed fillip to the national capital’s infrastructure while restoring sports infrastructure. According to survey, “69 percent of the respondents believe that Commonwealth Games has catalysed the development of sports infrastructure in Delhi which otherwise would not have happened.” 

The mega event will also spur economic growth with boom in industries like hospitality, tourism, infrastructure post CWG. “61 percent of respondents are confident that CWG will lead to the creation of job opportunities in the country,” the survey said based on responses from 321 people in Delhi-NCR region.

Out of 321 people surveyed 65 percent were aged between 17-25 years and 35 percent were working professionals comprising doctors, professors, state and central Government employees, investors, businessmen and managers.  

But only 50 percent of the people surveyed said that they would go out and watch the Games. And just twenty-nine percent of the respondents opined that India will earn the tag of being a good host.

Thirty-one per cent also believed that the event will improve India's positioning as an international investment hub and will act as a catalyst in marketing brand India.

The survey added that India has to do lot of introspection once the Games are over.

The survey, an attempt to understand the mood of the city and issues concerning the people of Delhi in relation to CWG, was done in September with the support of Global Business Operations, Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), University of Delhi. 

Earlier surveys done by few think tanks and others said that the shoddy preparation will only add woes to India’s overall image and will affect her ability to attract foreign investment in future.

Moody - global rating agency survey hinted at a beaten image of India with the extensive media coverage of the inadequate preparations for the Games. “Concerns regarding safety, security and site-preparedness are tarnishing the country’s global image...India’s reputation as a tourist and investment destination could be damaged,” the Moody report had said.

Delhi based geopolitical think tank Imagindia Institute reported that the CWG mess might just cost India 90 billion dollars, based on the calculation on six sigma quality standards where India is down one notch below.