From fountains to statues, floral decorations to flags — the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), public works department (PWD) and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) undertook a slew of initiatives to decorate the national capital for the G20 Leaders’ Summit.
The public works department redesigned road stretches to European standards. These redesigned road stretches include an area of the Ring Road from the airport to Central Delhi, Aurobindo Marg, Vikas Marg, Lodhi Road and Rajghat that will not only extend a warm welcome to the G20 guests but also remain as enduring infrastructure landmarks in Delhi, PWD Minister Atishi said earlier.
Extensive beautification work has been carried out by the Delhi government. These include the installation of 31 statues and 90 fountains on public works department roads, the planting of 1.65 lakh plants and the installation of decorative lighting, among others, she had said. Over one lakh potted plants have been placed in public areas.
Installations include a Konark wheel at Delhi Gate, a dancing idol at the y-point near Gulab Vatika on Ring Road and eight six-feet-high Apsara sculptures on the Hanuman Mandir Junction, according to officials.
As part of the MCD’s beautification drive, murals depicting the cultural heritage of India, as well as the successful soft landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the Moon, have been painted on public walls.
The MCD has put up 450 large banners bearing the G20 logo and images of the Red Fort, Humayun’s Tomb, Lotus Temple and other iconic heritage sites of Delhi to welcome the heads of state and other delegates.