Hit by delays and escalating cost of infrastructure, the 2010 Commonwealth Games here received a massive budgetary boost on Thursday with the central government allocating Rs 1620 crore as loan to the Organising Committee of the event.

"The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved the proposal of Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports for providing a revised budget of Rs 1620 crore, as loan to the Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010, at the prevailing government rate of
interest, for organising the CWG at Delhi during October 3 to 14. Budget approved earlier was Rs 767 crore," Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni told reporters after the cabinet meeting.

Elaborating on the reasons for the budgetary hike, she said rising cost of opening and closing ceremonies, the increase in the number of days for Queen's Baton Relay -- from
136 to 240 days for international leg and from 60 to 100 days for domestic leg -- were among the reasons that forced the increased allocation.

"Inclusion of new items that are essential for the successful delivery of the Games but were not provided in the initial budget of the OC, namely accreditation, city operations, sponsorship and TV rights, security, sustainability and environment and ticketing," she said.