Issues are piling up one on top of another: security fears, dengue fever worries, a pedestrian bridge collapse, a far-from-finished athletes' village, roads and streets still dug up, sanitation concerns, a ceiling cave-in. The usual litany of last-minute hold-ups and hiccups - as at the Athens or Beijing Olympics or the Football World Cup in South Africa - has been far surpassed, so much so that the very go-ahead of the Games has been questioned and, in fact, by rights the Games should be abandoned.
New Zealand officials are today due to make further announcements on this country's position, proceeding with caution being the most likely outcome.
Athletes from several nations are being given the option to bail out, but too much is at stake for countries to prematurely lead the walkouts.
Just imagine the pressure that India, as a massive emerging world power, is placing on England and the rest. Its reputation has already been blotted, and justifiably so, but it will be fighting with all its diplomatic might to make sure its escutcheon is not completely trashed.
The potential for a successful event remains, assuming it does go ahead, once the thrill of competition starts across many first-rate venues.
Imagine, though, the damage that rampant illness or a terror attack during the Games would inflict to individuals and to India's name.
The major issues can be broken down into three areas - accommodation and related conditions, health risks and security.
The first should be the least important, and super quality standards need not apply.
Good hygiene requirements, however, must be met.
New Zealand chef de mission Dave Currie was obviously, and legitimately, shocked by what he saw at the athletes' village, and several teams, including our own, are delaying their arrival to give the Indian authorities a last-minute chance to clean up their act. Hopefully, sufficient progress is being made.
Illness destroys performance and would devastate competitors, many of whom have been working for years for the event.
It is appalling that preparations for the Games have been left so late, and blame falls on not just the hosts but also the Commonwealth Games officials who have been based in Delhi.
Indians themselves are outraged as corruption and mismanagement have plagued preparations.
Nevertheless, they would view the refusal of countries to come - and especially former overlord England and the "white" Commonwealth - as a heinous slight.
Whatever is claimed about security, India, as starkly evidenced by the Mumbai attack of 2008, is a target for terror attacks.
Although the police and army presence will be massive, risk can never be eliminated, and the Delhi attack on a minibus last week which injured two Taiwanese tourists must raise doubts.
While the recent hockey World Cup in India proceeded positively, the Games will be a far bigger temptation for terrorists.
The greatest danger would appear to be to general visitors in crowded public arenas away from the venues themselves, although athletes will feel some vulnerability.
Some athletes have begun pulling out, with several international champions among them. These top athletes have less to lose because they have made their reputations and secured their incomes via major world competitions.
Others, though, may have struggled to make the top flight and might let down precious sponsors and sports in their home countries. Their opportunity is at the Commonwealth Games rather than in different arenas.
Some will feel torn or anxious, and others will remain excited by the prospects of taking part in a huge affair in a very different part of the world.
The Games will be weakened by big-name withdrawals but, at its own level, the various competitions can still draw strong interest across the Commonwealth.
The hope must be that the shambles can recede, and that sport can then perform its roles as both an interesting and enjoyable distraction from everyday cares, and as an opportunity to admire human skill. Plenty of shaken-up Canterbury residents or shivering Southland and South Otago farming families could certainly do with such entertainment.
If serious doubts remain, however, New Zealand officials should not hesitate to remove our team from the Games.
