New Delhi, Apr 3 (IANS): Sports minister M.S. Gill Friday said the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the venue of the opening and closing ceremonies of the Commonwealth Games, will be ready in June.

Reconstruction of the 27-year-old Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium has been delayed because a 150-metre-long tunnel, which will open up at the centre, is being constructed to connect the two ends of the stadium. The tunnel will be used by the performers to enter the ground during the ceremonies.

While inspecting the construction work at the stadium, Gill said: "I am satisfied that the work is going smoothly, and there are no technical difficulties. I have appealed to all involved to complete the stadium in early June. I have also directed the engineers to ensure that the labour, working with such dedication, are paid their full wages and treated properly by the contractors."

Gill was briefed by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) officers about the status of ongoing civil and electrical works in the complex comprising the main stadium, weightlifting and lawn-bowling arenas. Gill also took a round within the complex and inspected the ongoing roof work of the newly-constructed tunnel.

The cultural committee, headed by Tamil film maker Bharat Bala, wanted the tunnel. The other members of the committee are film maker Shyam Benegal, and lyricists Javed Akhtar and Prasoon Joshi.

The stadium, with a seating capacity of about 75,000, was built in 1982 when India hosted the Asian Games.