NDMC reviews preparations for India-Africa Summit, allows work-from-home

The New Delhi Municipal Council reviewed preparations for the India-Africa Summit, aligning with fuel conservation efforts and planning enhanced civic arrangements for visiting dignitaries.

New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) on Wednesday reviewed preparations for the upcoming India-Africa Summit, allowing its staffers to work from home and aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal for fuel conservation.

According to the statement, the review meeting, chaired by NDMC Vice Chairperson Kuljeet Singh Chahal via video conference from his residence, involved department heads assessing civic arrangements for the upcoming summit, which is expected to bring foreign delegates to the national capital.

Officials said the council has planned special sanitation drives, enhanced lighting, beautification measures and stricter monitoring of civic services across the NDMC area to ensure a smooth and welcoming experience for visiting dignitaries.

''Night sweeping and sanitation arrangements will be intensified from May 28 to June 1, with additional deployment of sanitation workers and supervisory staff along VIP routes, key markets and major roads,'' Chahal said in a statement.

He said garbage collection will be closely monitored through geo-tagged reporting, and zonal officers will oversee operations.

''Special decorative warm lighting will be installed at 13 major roundabouts, while around 10 hotels likely to host foreign delegates will also see enhanced illumination,'' Chahal said.

As part of beautification efforts, decorative potted plants, seasonal flowers and summit-themed floral displays will be placed at prominent locations, markets and entry gates, officials said.

The council has also directed departments to keep VIP roads pothole-free, remove encroachments and unauthorised hoardings, and ensure drains are desilted to prevent waterlogging.

Chahal announced that creatives provided by the Ministry of External Affairs will be displayed at nearly 50 LED sites and around 100 public display units across the NDMC area from Wednesday onwards.

A 24x7 control room at the Integrated Command and Control Centre will monitor arrangements during the summit, officials said.

Chahal said the NDMC area, being the face of the national capital, must reflect the highest standards of cleanliness, greenery and civic management during the international event.