Now, there is a second rose garden in the capital! The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has marked a space exclusively for the fragrant flower on Satya Marg, Chanakyapuri. Built on a Sprawling 2 acres area, it is just across the existing India-Africa Friendship Rose Garden on Shantipath. It was inaugurated on June 15, 2016 by then Urban Development Minister M, Venkaiah Naidu. NDMC officials said the garden will delight residents. Tourists and officials of embassies in the area alike.
Large lily and lotus ponds are being made at the new rose garden. Besides, ornamental fountains are also being installed. A horticulture official said, “Nearly 70 varieties of roses have been planted here akin to the ones in the India-Africa Friendship Rose Garden. This includes natives, hybrids and miniature breeds.”
Rosa Louis Odier, Rosa Double Delight, Voor Elisa, Blush Rambler, Clementine and Rosa Cricket are some of them.
Last year, the Urban Development Ministry handed over the erstwhile National Rose Garden to NDMC. Previously being maintained by the Rose Society of India, it had lately fallen into disuse. The municipal body revived the garden by planting close to 6,000 indigenous and exotic varieties of roses, Pathways, trellises for rose creepers, and even a high tea lounge was set up.
It was inaugurated on the occasion of the 3rd India-Africa Forum Summit on October 26, 2015 by External Affiars Minister Sushma Swaraj, in the presence of Foreign Minister of Madagascar, Beatrice Jeanine Atallah, Ambassador of Ethiopia, Gennet Zewide and representatives from 54 countries. Hence, it was named India-Africa Friendship Rose Garden. NDMC had been planning to develop the land across Shantipath, into a similar rose garden ever since.