Nearly 150 sculptures and same number of stone fountains installed in the run up to the G-20 Summit here last year are in excellent condition and regularly maintained by the relevant agencies that procured them, Raj Niwas said here on Sunday. Sharing this information, officials also said even as Delhi decked up unprecedentedly in the run up to and during the G-20 Summit last year, there were many apprehensions and doubts raised about the continuation of the revamp achieved. Naysayers predicted vandalization of artefacts, drying up of fountains and their ill maintenance and disrepair once the event was over. However, a year down the line status of adornments and artefacts that line Delhis streets have laid apprehensions to rest and proved the cynics wrong. Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena chaired a meeting recently to take stock of the status of the artefacts and adornments- their maintenance and upkeep. He also reviewed the ongoing works in this regard. Nearly 150 sculptures including that of Konark Wheel, Chhatris, Horse Family elliptical fountains, Yakshinis, Vighnaharta, Elephants, Lions, Buddha, Surya and Nandi that were installed along the arterial roads and around tourist spots, continue to be in excellent condition and are regularly being maintained by the concerned agencies that had procured the artefacts. Similarly, around 150 stone fountains brought from Rajasthan, are all working properly across the city. These artefacts, which were brought from different parts of the country, mainly Rajasthan and Odisha, have been installed in various parts of the National Capital, amply depicting the rich culture and heritage of the nation. Soon after these sculptures and fountains were installed, the LG had directed the concerned agencies to put in place a proper mechanism for their maintenance, upkeep and repair. All of these 150 fountains are operating on a daily basis barring the days of their scheduled maintenance. The LG, even after the conclusion of the G-20 Summit, continues with his site visits and personally inspects the maintenance and upkeep of these artefacts. In the year that followed September, 2023, LG Saxena has undertaken over 130 field visits spread over 115 days identifying new sites for adornments and keeping an eye on the status of artefacts already installed. Saxena, who has always been asking for peoples support in the maintenance and upkeep of these artefacts, has thanked the people of Delhi for their support through owning up the beautification efforts undertaken collectively by the agencies. He reiterated that these artefacts and fountains were not just meant for the G-20 Summit but they aimed at creating permanent assets for the National Capital. Meanwhile, under the LGs guidance, many more artefacts have been installed in different parts of the city in the last one year. These include a natural stone fountain installed at Vijay Ghat and white marble Elephants family at RML roundabout, both installed in July 2024. A stunning white sandstone chariot, a powerful symbol of triumph, standing at the Sardar Patel-Simon Boliver Marg junction, installed in June 2024. Similarly, a 300-KG metal bell, baradari and chhatris and elephants were installed at Vasudev Ghat at ISBT, Kashmere Gate in March 2024. Earlier, two pairs of elephants facing each other have been installed at the junction of Akbar Road and Krishna Menon Marg in December 2023. A majestic Surya sculpture sculpted by Padma Vibhushan Sudarshan Sahoo and his team in Muguni Pathara (Odia), was installed at DDAs Asita Park in April 2024. Sahoos another creation, Dharmachakra Pravartana (the setting in motion of the Wheel of Dharma) Bhagwan Buddha at Sarnath has also been installed at Asita Park.

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