G20 Summit LIVE: PM Modi's B20 Address Today; Flight Ops, Traffic To Be Hit in Delhi Between Sept 8-10

Acknowledging the potential inconveniences that the residents of Delhi might encounter due to the upcoming G20 summit taking place in the city next month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday appealed to the people to actively contribute towards the success of the event. READ MORE

Ahead of the G20 Summit, a full carcade rehearsal was conducted in the national capital on Saturday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the B20 Summit India 2023 on Sunday. The PMO said the Summit has brought policymakers, business leaders and experts from across the world to deliberate and discuss the B20 India Communique.  The B20 India Communique includes 54 recommendations and 172 policy actions for submission to G20, it said.

The Business 20 (B20) is the official G20 dialogue forum with the global business community. Established in 2010, B20 is among the most prominent engagement groups in G20 with companies and business organisations as participants.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 104th Mann ki Baat is scheduled to take place at 11 am on Sunday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said culture has an inherent potential to unite while asserting that the work of G20 culture ministers holds immense significance for entire humanity.

In a recorded video message to the delegates attending the G20 Culture Ministers’ Meeting here, the prime minister said Varanasi is a treasure chest of spirituality, knowledge and truth.

“Culture has the inherent potential to unite… your work holds immense significance for the entire humanity,” Modi told the gathering of G20 ministers.”

The prime minister also said that India is “using technology to ensure better preservation of our cultural heritage”.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi has deployed suction-cum-jetting machines on the city’s 35 roads, including the Mathura Road, Bhairon Marg, Panchsheel Marg and Mandir Marg, in view of the G20 Summit next month, an official statement said.

It said these machines will be used for scrubbing, cleaning and washing the roads and footpaths. The suction-cum-jetting machines will work in single shifts from 6am to 2pm.

The Delhi Police will on Sunday hold a ‘carcade’ rehearsal from various points to Pragati Maidan ahead of the G20 Summit scheduled in the national capital next month. Police said traffic will be regulated at several places from 9 am to 12.30 pm to facilitate the rehearsals.

The roads where traffic will be regulated are Sardar Patel Marg-Panchsheel Marg, Teen Murti Marg, Barakhamba Road traffic signal, Janpath-Kartavya Path, Vivekanand Marg, under the Lodhi Road flyover, Shanti Van Chowk, Joseph Tito Marg-Siri Fort Road, Press Enclave Road-Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg, C-Hexagon, Mathura Road and Saleem Garh Bypass, they said.

Commuters have been asked to plan their journeys accordingly.

Around 400 police personnel specially trained in soft skills will be deployed at prominent hubs, airports, railway stations and ISBTs to help delegates and other visitors during next month’s G20 Summit.

Officials said each team comprising one Indo-Tibetan Border Police commando, a gunman and a driver will be accompanied by probationer sub-inspectors as in-charges.

Additionally, a special helpline — 8750871111 — has been made functional to assist the tourists.

To ensure uninterrupted power supply for the G20 Summit, authorities are leveraging the latest technology and have installed multiple backups at the venue, Pragati Maidan, officials said on Saturday. Power discom BSES has enhanced the supply to Pragati Maidan by establishing three separate power sources to ensure reliability. Cables measuring three km have been laid to connect to the ITPO grid, offering greater flexibility, they said.

Additionally, the company has installed three 1,600 KVA distribution transformers to serve as a power supply backup. All three power sources for the Pragati Maidan grid now feature changeover systems or multiple levels of automatic backup, said a BSES official.

Delhi airport operator DIAL on Saturday said it has received requests from airlines for cancellation of 80 departing and as many arriving domestic flights during three days from September 8 in connection with the G20 Summit.

The Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL), a consortium led by the GMR Group, also stressed that the airport is fully equipped with ample parking space for aircraft during the summit period. It was also noted that the decision on cancellations of flights has been taken by airlines possibly in light of traffic restrictions due to the G20 Summit.

“So far, we have received requests for cancellation of approximately 80 departing and 80 arriving domestic flights over three days, which is a mere 6 per cent of the normal domestic operations at Delhi Airport. The restrictions will not cause any impact on international flights.

Ahead of the G20 leaders’ summit in Delhi next month, the traffic police in the national capital have made elaborate arrangements for hassle-free travel for dignitaries and the public.

The Delhi Police will also launch a virtual help desk, in coordination with traffic-mapping services, on Friday for real-time tracking of VIP movements, and the regulation of traffic flow within the territory of the national capital, said Special Commissioner of Police, Traffic, SS Yadav. READ MORE