New Delhi: The Indian capital is all set to roll out the red carpet for the G20 Summit this week. The two-day summit will start on September 9 at the Bharat Mandapam in Delhi’s Pragati Maidan. Ahead of the summit, Delhi’s civic bodies, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) and Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), undertook various measures to spruce up the city.
From fountains and statues of all shapes and sizes to street art depicting the length and breadth of Indian history, mythology, art and culture, the capital city underwent some major revamp in the past few days.
For security, the PWD has installed 44 more CCTV cameras in addition to 1.20 lakh existing ones across Delhi. Further, quick response teams, wearing a special uniform, will be stationed at key roads which will work in coordination with Delhi Police and security personnel.
A 27-foot tall Nataraja statue has been installed at Bharat Mandapam stands as a testament to India’s age-old artistry and traditions to welcome foreign delegates for the G20 Summit.
A total of 13 fountains have come up in and around the G20 venue.
Stone-carved lion statues have been installed at many stretches around the national capital in preparations for the G20 Summit. The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has placed various sculptures including Polo Horses, Horse Families, and Buddha statues at prominent locations to beautify Lutyens’ Delhi.
Life-size cutouts of langurs have sprung up in several parts of New Delhi over the last few days as officials look to prevent the smaller rhesus monkeys from playing spoilsport during the G20 summit. The NDMC has deployed “30 to 40 people” who mock their sounds to create the impression that the animals are alive and moving.
Flags of 20 member countries along with those of international organisations — World Bank, United Nations, African Union, Asian Development Bank, International Labour Organisation — have been installed.
A number of fountains dot the Pragati Maidan area — 13 fountains from gate no 4 to 7 of Bharat Mandapam; four statues of crowns with jet fountains; and nozzle and jet fountains surrounded with shrubbery and plants such as bamboo, calendula, numerical alba, hibiscus and bougainvillea.
