Lutyens' Delhi to be decked up with flowers for Trump

Tulips and multi-colour hybrid dahlias besides floral boards will adorn various prominent spots in Lutyens' Delhi to welcome United States President Donald Trump's and other dignitaries, an official said on Friday.

Various prominent spots, including roundabouts, will also be beautified with flowers, according to an official of the New Delhi Municipal Council.

US President Donald Trump, accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump and a high-level delegation, will arrive in Ahmedabad around noon on February 24 for a little less than 36-hour-long trip.

Trump's daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner, will also be part of the delegation.

From Ahmedabad, Trump will travel to Agra before arriving at the national capital for the main leg of the visit.

"On all important occasions, we put up floral motifs at various vantage points in the NDMC area. We will install floral boards welcoming the dignitaries at prominent spots on the route the dignitaries will travel," a senior NDMC official said.

"Besides seasonal plants that adorn various locations, we have arranged for over 15,000 pots of tulips and multi-colour hybrid dahlias, which will be placed at Hyderabad House, the venue for delegation-level talks between the US President and Prime Minister Narendra Modi," the official added.

NDMC area is home prominent buildings, including the iconic Parliament building, Rashtrapati Bhawan and Diplomatic Enclave.

"Various prominent spots in the NDMC area, including roundabouts will also be beautified with flowers. While our roads are among the cleanest ones in the city, we have also directed the sanitation department for intensive cleaning of roads using machines," the NDMC official said.

In Delhi, Trump and the First Lady will be accorded a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan on February 25.

From there, they will go to Rajghat to pay homage at the 'samadhi' of Mahatma Gandhi. It will be followed by restricted and delegation-level talks between Trump and Modi at Hyderabad House.

Prime Minister Modi will host a lunch for the US president following the talks.

In the afternoon, Trump is expected to attend certain private events at the US Embassy, including a private roundtable with industry representatives. In the evening, the US president will meet President Ram Nath Kovind at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

A banquet will be hosted by Kovind and President Trump will depart from India later that evening.