New Delhi to plant lakh tulips ahead of G20 Summit next year

New Delhi: The Horticulture Department of the New Delhi Municipal Committee (NDMC) has started planting tulip bulbs in large numbers since the capital is going to host G20 Summit next year, IANS reported,

Last year, 62,800 bulbs were planted, but the target is 1,26,000 plus this year.

"A nation deeply committed to democracy and multilateralism, India's G20 Presidency would be a watershed moment in her history as it seeks to play an important role by finding pragmatic global solutions for the wellbeing of all and, in doing so, manifest the true spirit of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' or the 'World is One Family'," NDMC Vice Chairman Satish Upadhyay said while launching the tulip plantation drive at Shanti Path, Chanakyapuri.

He said that there is a temperature issue in the region, but the plan is to beautify Lutyens' Delhi by decorating it with colourful tulip flowers. The bulbs were pre-treated and pre-programmed to avoid any irregular conditions, he said.

This year tulips getting planted include 'Maitri', a yellow breed released by then President Ram Nath Kovind during his visit to the Netherlands. Also, public places will be covered with tulips of different colours, including white, orange, purple, blue, pink, and red colours.

Along with tulips, other flower varieties include petunia, salvia, cineraria, dimorphotheca, antirrhinum, papi, verbena, dianthus hollyhock, and nasturtium, among others.

NDMC is also planning to organise a flower festival and tulip festival in Central Park. There will be various selfie points in areas like Connaught Place, Ranjit Singh Bridge, Barakhamba Road, Talkatora Garden, 11 Idols, Mandi House Goal, RML Goal, Windsor Place Goal C Hexagon, Sunheri Bagh Round, Tilak Marg, etc.