Three years after the streets of the Capital were revitalized for the G20 Summit, Lutyens’ Delhi is set to undergo another transformation in preparation for the upcoming BRICS Summit, scheduled for September 12-13.
Manoj Kumar Dwivedi, the chairperson of the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), stated, “We have been working on this project for some time. The visual appeal of the city will soon change significantly due to our team’s diligent efforts to enhance the NDMC areas.”
The BRICS Summit will take place at the Bharat Mandapam in Central Delhi.
The beautification initiative will focus heavily on roads and roundabouts, but it will also encompass landscaping, floral displays, fountains, murals, food festivals, and various performances.
A total of 41 major roads have been selected and organized into 14 sectors, each overseen by a designated nodal officer. Dwivedi remarked, “These officers, along with their teams, will conduct daily inspections to ensure cleanliness, beautification, and other civic arrangements along their respective stretches.”
The renovations will extend from the main roads into nearby roundabouts and public spaces. Officials have pinpointed 15 sites for floral boards, nine for flower fountains, and 17 roundabouts that will receive special landscaping and beautification treatments.
Parking areas will also be enhanced, and officials noted that the roads and their surroundings will be under close surveillance.
Moreover, the India-Africa Friendship Rose Garden, established in 2015, along with the BRICS Friendship Rose Garden, inaugurated in 2016 during India’s previous summit, will also be highlighted in the beautification efforts.
Officials mentioned that the city will feature a “visual imprint” of the BRICS Summit.
As per the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), NDMC has received suggestions for the artistic displays to be installed throughout the city. These include enhancements to the BRICS logo, additional floral boards, and installations featuring photographs of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Dwivedi noted, “The MEA has provided ideas for embellishing the BRICS logo, increasing the number of floral boards, and installing boards showcasing the Prime Minister’s images. They have also requested our support for the events associated with the Summit.”
To integrate the BRICS Summit into the city’s public spaces, plans are underway for a food festival, mural paintings, and performances by artists from the BRICS nations. “The Talkatora Garden amphitheatre will host performances by artists, while murals will be created in the National Museum area. Artists from all member countries will have an opportunity to display their talents. The food festival will feature a diverse range of cuisines for the public to enjoy,” Dwivedi said.
A core team of 12 members, supplemented by approximately 200 additional staff, has been assembled to maintain the venues and assist the MEA during the events. With concerns regarding the Monsoon rains, Dwivedi assured, “We have ensured that extra pumps are on standby to quickly address any waterlogging. Desilting of several drains in the area is currently in progress.”
