Kamal Ghorui
The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) will launch a major beautification drive, planting over 2.6 lakh tulip bulbs across Lutyens Delhi starting December 27. NDMC Vice Chairperson Kuljeet Singh Chahal announced the initiative on Thursday, saying it aims to enhance the city’s aesthetics and combat pollution. Giving the details, Chahal said 5.17 lakh imported Dutch bulbs have arrived this season, with the NDMC receiving 3.25 lakh and the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) getting 1.92 lakh. “The NDMC will also plant 15,000 tulip bulbs preserved at the special conservation centre at the Tulip House in Lodhi Garden. Along with this, 20,700 tulip bulbs received from the CSIR-IHBT Research Centre, Palampur, will also be planted,” Chahal said. This year’s programme will prominently feature major religious sites in the NDMC area, Chahal said, adding that the council will decorate places like Birla Mandir, Hanuman Mandir and Bangla Sahib Gurudwara with vibrant tulip blooms, using both ground plantations and potted arrangements. Chahal shared details of the procurement of tulip bulbs in previous years, saying the NDMC purchased 62,800 in 2021-22, 1,40,210 in 2022-23, 2,00,000 in 2023-24 and 3,25,000 in 2024-25. He said the council will also create thematic displays in public gardens and roundabouts, conveying messages like “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam”, “One Nation One Election”, and “Viksit Bharat”. The key locations for plantation include Shanti Path, Central Park at Connaught Place, Lodhi Garden and areas near the Vice President’s House. Sharing technical details, Chahal explained that tulip bulbs require a minimum temperature of around 5 degrees Celsius for nearly two months for proper germination. “Keeping Indian climatic conditions in mind, the NDMC has selected pre-treated and programmed tulip bulbs, which can develop well despite temperature fluctuations,” Chahal said. He said the council will make available approximately one lakh potted tulips for sale to citizens. The flowers, expected to bloom from February, will showcase various colours including white, yellow, red, pink, orange and purple. Chahal highlighted that the NDMC has pioneered public tulip plantation in India starting in 2017-18. He also cited broader green efforts, saying the NDMC planted over 3,400 trees and 29.9 lakh shrubs between April and October 2025, including drives at more than 20 foreign embassies under the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign.
