Unspeakable - that's how bad the state of the preparations for the Commonwealth Games is, as the Delhi chief minister has rightly realised. So, Sheila Dikshit has asked her ministers to keep their comments on the same to themselves if the media were to bait them for a byte, according to a Hindustan Times report. It is a very, very sensible move given that it offers us an escape from having to listen to this bunch state the obvious - in cliched political rhetoric.

But, the 'unstated' in the move is too plain for words. The government knows that any acknowledgement of the slow paced, ill-planned preparations will just fuel the swelling public opinion against it. And saying "We'll be ready in time" seems dangerously hollow now.

So, the CM has gone ahead and done the best thing that she could think of - impose the gag order. But does she really think that her ministers' playing dumb would turn the city blind?

In Delhi, roads have been speaking about the preparations long before the minister were asked to be silent. Yellow is a loud colour. So, no one in South Delhi, out on the road, can miss the lined barricades swallowing half the road for significant stretches. Blaring horns in the traffic curdling on these roads, thanks to street scaping, make their point most vocally.

Flyovers, Metro tracks are 'nearing completion' since months and Connaught Place is getting a makeover that threatens to take as long as the iconic hub has been around for.

So, if we may break the awkward silence, Madam, tell us what is there that we could miss? What is that you think we will only wake up to after your ministers corroborate?

One can only hope that next time you let a word on the preparations for the Games slip, you are not talking of our atheletes' training. There is only so much bad news your city can bear.