NDMC readies a green look for Games sites
New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) plans to plant 10 lakh (one million) potted plants at all Commonwealth Games venues and neighbouring areas under its jurisdiction, in a bid to beautify the Capital for the 2010 event.
New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) plans to plant 10 lakh (one million) potted plants at all Commonwealth Games venues and neighbouring areas under its jurisdiction, in a bid to beautify the Capital for the 2010 event.
The civic agency has allotted around Rs 23 crore (Rs 2.3 million) to its horticulture department to procure plants of different varieties, earthen pots and other requirements. While around 50 per cent of these plants will be raised in NDMC's nurseries, the rest will be procured from different states. NDMC will also procure some special ornamental plants from nurseries in Vishakahpatnam, Pune, Kolkata and Hyderabad, officials said.
According to NDMC officials, emphasis will be laid on ornamental plants including palm, bamboo and shrubs and flowering plants.
“Some species will be selected during field visits between August and October this year to get the plants at their best during the Games,” said a horticulture department official.
The plants in most categories have to be raised first in polybags and later shifted to earthen pots when they attain the suitable size, the official added.
The decision is a part of the larger plan of the Delhi government whereby, it was decided that all civic agencies in the Capital would make available 60 lakh (six million) potted plants around Games venues for display during the 2010 event, besides arranging 10 lakh (one million) palm plants.
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has also developed parks under three flyovers in Moti Nagar, Janakpuri and Zakhira in view of the Games.
The civic agency had also asked for Rs 50 crore (500 million) from Delhi government so that these projects can be completed without any hindrance.
The civic agency has also developed ‘green’ traffic circles in Pusa, Lodhi Road, Rani Jhansi Road and three other roads while in 16 more areas, central verges will be beautified.
The civic agency has also purchased 10,000 benches for its parks and gardens and created 10 herbal gardens.