4,000 Tricolours to flutter in Delhi on I-Day

Four thousand national flags will flutter across the capital and 16,000 balloons will be put at all major crossroads in the city on India's 68th Independence Day, the Delhi government said Monday.

The city will wear a dapper look as the Public Works Department (PWD) has decided to launch a special drive in the run-up to the Aug 15 celebrations.

The drive will include removal of posters and hoardings from walls, pruning of trees, and painting of flyovers.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation for the first time from the 17th century Red Fort, where his predecessor Manmohan Singh hoisted the national flag for 10 years in a row.

Meanwhile, at the behest of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, the Centre has agreed to make an enclosure for the public who will witness the ceremony. The enclosure will have a capacity of 10,000 seats.

Removal of debris, cleaning of signages, road markings, and painting of kerbstones will take place along the 1,250 km of roads maintained by the PWD.

"Four thousand national flags will be put on all major crossings. The VIP route from Rajghat to Red Fort shall also be decorated with national flags," PWD secretary Arun Boroka said.

The department will also put up 200 banners with 16,000 balloons at 20 major crossroads. Besides, entry points to Delhi shall also be decorated.

The Delhi Transport Corporation will have its shuttle service in place at the Inter State Bus Terminus to ferry people to the venue which remains out of bound for vehicles during the ceremony.

The Delhi unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party has requested the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation to start its services at 4.30 a.m. - an hour and a half before its scheduled time.