Extensive Beautification Drive Ahead Of G20 Meet

In preparation for the G-20 summit that was scheduled to take place in Mumbai from December 13–15 2022, the Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) made a number of beautifying projects, mostly in the regions of the city where the delegates spend most of their time during their three-day visit. In order to carry out these projects, the local council allocated a total of Rs 24.23 crore across 11 of the 24 municipal wards.

The largest portion of this fund, Rs 4.51 crore, was distributed to the K/East ward (Andheri East), which is home to several five-star hotels as well as Mumbai's airports; Rs 4.50 crore was distributed to the H/East ward (Bandra East, Khar East), which is in the path of the Jio World Centre in Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), where the three-day conclave was held. All conventional road dividers were turned into flower beds, even the road surface outside of Mantralaya was painted with white traffic signs.

Tricolor lights were used to highlight some of Mumbai's most well-known landmarks, such as the Marine Drive promenade and the Gateway of India. Laser lights were used to reflect the G20 logo onto these structures. Additionally, cleaners were being sent out to sweep the Gateway property and promenade 24 hours a day for three days.

Apart from this in between Bandra-Worli Sea Link and the Western Express Highway (WEH), new traffic signs were being put in place, and the area's entire open space was being lit up. On the retaining walls next to the WEH, there are murals painted on them.

The development, working group emphasized the necessity of raising the profile of developing countries in international organizations as part of reformed global cooperation to solve modern issues during India's G20 chairmanship.?

India would give top priority to advancing the SDGs by elevating issues pertaining to development in all G20 working-stream meetings. "The focus will be on transformative sectors and transitions that can catalyze multiplier effects on all SDGs, such as women-led development, digital transformations, and just green transitions," according to some reports.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development relies heavily on financing, yet developing nations have numerous obstacles in this regard.

The Covid-19 pandemic seriously impacted governments' attempts to reach SDG targets by 2030 by limiting fiscal headroom, and it is predicted that the financing gap for the SDGs in developing countries grew by 20% as a result.

By concentrating on data-related capacity-building in developing countries and utilizing "data for development" to speed progress on the SDGs, the Indian side will also build on its efforts in digital payments, direct benefit transfers, and health.

Since the G20's founding in 2010, the development working group has been in charge of guiding its development agenda. Additionally, it has guided this development agenda's alignment with the SDGs. The group has worked with problems like good infrastructure and financing for sustainable development in addition to working on energy and food security, climate change, and international health crises.

But while all these changes have occurred, creating a whole new city, there are also numerous questions that are coming to people's minds. Some have even commented, 'We all recognize that the purpose of these efforts is to promote the city and its facilities. These programs also show the BMC's ability to provide high-caliber work, and as citizens, we expect year-round access to such essential services. Others questioned, 'Why are such initiatives typically not taken, and why is there a different threshold for other administrative events?'

Significant changes have been undertaken like Zebra crossings have been repainted, traffic lights have been made more attractive, and hawkers have been asked to leave. In fact, urgent repairs have been started in certain wards and road signals are being cleaned as well. Many Mumbaikars are shocked that there are no legal obstacles regarding authority to fix potholes or ward officials alleging financial constraints. In fact, the government has set aside Rs 25 crore for this cleanup effort. Not that residents are complaining, but others believe that even without complaints, the civic organization deserves praise for the quick thinking it has displayed in preparing the city for the G20 presidency conference.