More than 60,000 flowering plants were used to beautify Delhi for the G20; traffic restrictions are in place

For the highly anticipated G20 Summit that takes place next month, Delhi will be closed for three days. With less than two weeks left, the chosen locations have been made beautiful for the arrival of the high-profile delegations, and streets around the city have been decorated with flower pots and greenery totaling about 6.75 lakh.

The government has planned traffic arrangements and declared September 8–10 a public holiday, during which time schools, offices, banks, courts, and other business enterprises would be closed. With the exception of locals, the New Delhi neighborhood and the NDMC region will remain fully off-limits to the general public.

Delhi is covered with flowers.
Sardar Patel Marg, Mother Teresa Crescent, Teen Murti Marg, Dhaula Kuan-IGI Airport Road, Palam Technical Area, India Gate C-Hexagon, Mandi House, Akbar Road roundabout, Delhi Gate, Rajghat, and the ITPO are just a few of the prominent areas that have undergone plant transformations.

The PWD planted 50,000 plants, the DDA one lakh, the NDMC one lakh, and the MCD 50,000 pots in addition to the 3.75 lakh plants planted by the Delhi government’s forest department and the Delhi Parks and Garden Society. The first week of September will see the addition of more potted blooming plants, the authorities said, ensuring that the flowers are in full bloom during the G20 Summit.

Traveler Police Attending the G20 Summit
To assist delegates and other tourists during the summit, around 400 police officers with specific training in soft skills will be stationed at well-known tourist hotspots, the airport, railroad stations, and ISBTs.

Each squad, which consists of one commando from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, a shooter, and a driver, would also have probationary sub-inspectors acting as in-charges, they claimed.

According to officials speaking to PTI, each member of the Tourist Police unit completed a task-oriented training program with the assistance of Delhi Tourism and other travel organizations. They have received training in geography, city landmarks, efficient communication, speaking English, and fire drills.

The ‘Tourist Police’ will be stationed at locations such as the Paharganj and Ajmeri Gate sides of the New Delhi railway station, Hauz Khas Village, Palika Bazar, Red Fort, Janpath, Connaught Place, Rajghat, Humayun’s Tomb, Jama Masjid, Akshardham, Lotus Temple, Qutub Minar, India Gate, and Aerocity Mahipalpur, among others.

L-G Evaluates
On Sunday, Lieutenant Governor VK Saxen went to the Palam Air Force Station to assess the level of readiness. “At ‘Yakshini Chowk’, the air force station’s Palam Technical Area road junction. He wrote on X, previously known as Twitter, “As we prepare to welcome HoGs/HoSs for the next G20 Summit.

The authorities noted that the LG also paid visits to the India Gate C-Hexagon, Akbar Road, Tughlaq Road, Kautilya Marg, SP Marg, Dhaula Kuan, and Thimmayya Marg on Sunday, which was his 54th inspection or monitoring visit since July 1.

The Grand Closed
The issue that emerges is whether enforcing a lockdown is required since both the Center and Delhi administrations are working hard to make the capital city more beautiful. According to reports, hundreds of flights to and from Delhi may also be canceled in order to reserve the city for the two-day summit.

Notably, Delhi did not close down its businesses or its commercial districts during the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

In a speech on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed regret for any difficulty that the G20 Summit’s adjustments to traffic laws may have caused Delhi citizens. Nevertheless, he insisted that despite the difficulties, Delhi citizens should make sure the international event is a success.

“The citizens of Delhi have a unique obligation to ensure the success of the G20 Summit. They need to make sure that the country’s image is not damaged in any way, he said.

High-profile dignitaries including US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau, and others were staying in Lutyens’ Delhi for the two-day conference, hence the city institutions were closed. The general public’s access to the zone has been limited to preserve international standards.