As the final G20 event approaches, India’s capital New Delhi is leaving no stone unturned to host one of the biggest events of the year. The G20 Summit will be held in September. Amid this, the capital city is busy in not just beautifying the city but also taking security measures to ensure safety of people, participators and the delegates. Head of States along with their delegates from 20 member nations of G20 will land in Delhi for the final G20 summit where discussions are sure to take place for the global roadmap ahead.
Security in place
On August 18, Delhi Police PRO Suman Nalwa briefed about the security arrangements for the final G20 Summit in New Delhi. Delhi Police is all prepared and is coordinating with multiple agencies, said PRO Nalwa.
Delhi Police has been preparing for the security arrangements for G20 event for the past few months. “The officers who are to be deployed, were provided with training related to soft skills. At the venue of the event, we are coordinating with multiple agencies,” PRO Nalwa informed.
Furthermore, the Delhi police has also procured all necessary security gears such as weapons, bulletproof jackets and more. “We are prepared to host the event and it will be hosted successfully. 41 head of states are visiting India and there will be other delegates and International organisations. So, elaborate planning is going on for traffic management. It is a privilege and honour for Delhi Police that we are responsible for the security of such a big event,” the Delhi Police PRO added.
In addition to this, Delhi metro station premises, one of the biggest mode of transport in the city, have also been additionally equipped with CCTVs.
Special efforts are also being made to keep a check on anti-social elements. For instance, anti-terror measures exercise has been taken up by South Delhi District Police in view of the threat. Moreover, Checking of hotels, guest houses, tenants, servants, SIM card dealers, car dealers etc. are being taken regularly to maintain law and order and to avoid any untoward incident in the South District area. Further foot patrolling in high footfall area, market places, and iconic places are being carried out regularly.
Beautification measures in the city
In addition to amplifying the security, Delhi is also gearing up to mesmerise the G20 guests through its beauty. In the initial phases, G20 inspired logo, LED light posts etc were installed, the focus now is on attending roads that need a bit of attention. The civic agencies in charge of roads are sprucing up 66 arterial roads and stretches across key parts of the city, ahead of the big event.
The installation of multicoloured LED lights, floodlights, underground power cables, and national flagpoles have also been successfully completed at several places in the capital.
According to reports, some of the work undertaken includes the complete re-carpeting of avenue roads, installation of designer fountains with sculptures and flower pots, and footpath refurbishment. Of the 66 designated roads, 23 each fall under the ambit of the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) and the Public Works Department (PWD), seven under the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), and the rest are managed by agencies including the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and those of other states.
PWD is carrying out repair work while MCD have accelerated efforts to enhance the appearance around these roads. It has also doubled the frequency of mechanical road cleaning of these areas while separate zonal teams have been earmarked for encroachment removal, cleaning banners/posters, greening, and beautification work. Further, MCD also plans to add 100,000 flower pots along these routes to display ornamental plants.
Repair work is also being undertaken in the New Delhi area with the installation of tree uplighters, and finishing touches being given to new fountains and sculptures at 13 locations. These locations include the marble lion installation at Samrat Hotel rotary, Ashoka Hotel T-point, and a series of fountains near Barakhamba Road, KG Marg, and the India Gate Hexagon, among other places.
According to NDMC vice-chairperson Satish Upadhyay, around 3,000 trees and 2.8 million saplings have been planted to create lush green strips along major roads. Various sculptures including marble lions, polo horses, horse families, and Buddha statues have also been placed at prominent locations such as Panchsheel Marg, Kamal Ataturk Marg, Kautilya Marg, Rajaji Marg, Teen Murti Marg, Vinay Marg.
NDMC roads under the G20 revamp plan include APJ Abdul Kalam Road, Shanti Path, Sardar Patel Marg, Teen Murti Marg, Tolstoy Marg, C-Hexagon, Man Singh Road, and Akbar Road.