Besides Pune and Bangalore, one person each has died due to the viral disease in Ahmedabad, Nashik, Chennai, Thiruvananthapuram, Raipur and Bilapur an

The New Delhi Municipal Council has earmarked a sum of Rs23.21 crore for raising of 10 lakh potted plants, which will be used for adding colour to the Games venues

New Delhi: To paint the town green before the Commonwealth Games 2010, the civic authorities in the national capital were planning to develop 20 lakh potted plants to be placed around sports venues and taking steps to beautify various roads, roundabouts and under-bridges.

The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has earmarked a sum of Rs23.21 crore for raising of 10 lakh potted plants of different varieties, which will be used for adding colour to the Games venues as well as the routes leading to them, officials said.

The civic body, which looks after New Delhi area, has already accorded administrative approval for the work. Nearly half of the plants are planned to be developed in NDMC nurseries while the rest, including some ornamental varieties, will be procured from other states.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi, the city’s primary civic agency, was also raising 10 lakh potted plants with an eye on the mega sports event to be hosted by Delhi next year.

“Of the target of 10 lakh, Horticulture Department of the MCD has already developed 2.5 lakh plants while seven lakh saplings are ready for plantation,” an official said.

The BJP-ruled MCD has been demanding Rs50 crore from Delhi government so that the horticulture-related projects can be completed without any hindrance.