Capital makeover for BRICS Summit: Floral displays, food festivals, performan

After a similar makeover for the 2015 G20 Summit, Delhi's Lutyens' area is undergoing another transformation ahead of the BRICS Summit on September 12-13. The city's beautification team, under the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), has been working diligently to enhance the NDMC areas. New Delhi Municipal Council chairperson Manoj Kumar Dwivedi confirmed the efforts to transform the city's appearance.

The BRICS Summit will take place at Bharat Mandapam in Central Delhi, with roads and roundabouts as the focal points for the renovation. Forty-one major roads have been selected and divided into 14 zones, each overseen by a dedicated nodal officer. These officers will conduct daily inspections, ensuring cleanliness, beautification, and other civic arrangements on their assigned roads.

Special areas for floral displays include 15 selected locations, with nine designated for flower fountains and 17 roundabouts earmarked for unique beautification and landscaping. Parking areas and surrounding roads will also be given a fresh look. The areas surrounding the ten hotels where BRICS delegates will reside have been given special attention, as have the India-Africa Friendship Rose Garden and the BRICS Friendship Rose Garden, both established in 2015 and 2016 respectively.

Beyond the landscaping, the city will showcase a visual representation of the BRICS Summit. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has provided suggestions for creative installations, such as enhancing the BRICS logo, adding more floral boards, and placing photographs of Prime Minister Narendra Modi around the city. The MEA has also encouraged support for the events planned during the Summit, including a food festival featuring diverse cuisines, murals in the National Museum area, and performances by artists from BRICS member countries.

Talkatora Garden's amphitheatre will host these artists' performances, while murals will be painted on the National Museum premises. DEWIVEDI noted the city will also host a food festival, mural paintings, and performances by artists from BRICS member nations.