Inclement weather defers Rose Festival

Sandeep Rana
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, January 13

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Weather has taken a toll on the upcoming Rose Festival in the city as the Municipal Corporation’s horticulture wing feel it will be a big thing if even 50 per cent of the flowers get to bloom this time, going by the prevailing weather conditions.

The three-day Rose Festival, which is generally organised in the third week of February every year, will begin on February 28 this year.

During a visit to the Rose Garden, Sector 16, it was found that several rose buds were damaged due to rain that lashed the city today. “In order to ensure that the maximum number of flowers blooms, we have postponed the festival to the fourth week. It is, otherwise, held in the third week of February,” a senior official of the horticulture wing said.

Besides, unlike the previous practice, the first two cultural night events will be held at Leisure Valley, while the last day event will be organised at the Sector 17 Plaza. Apart from this, two-three other events related to the festival will be held at the Plaza.

“The idea is to make people use the recently constructed underpass connecting the Rose Garden with Sector 17,” an MC official said.

KP Singh, superintending engineer, horticulture wing, said, “The festival will be held on February 28, 29 and March 1 due to the prevailing weather conditions. Also, the last cultural night will be held at the Sector 17 Plaza.”

The General House meeting had approved Rs 66 lakh budget for the festival. This expenditure is in addition to what the UT Administration will spend at Leisure Valley during the festival.

Meanwhile, MC Commissioner KK Yadav said, “This time, the Sector 17 Plaza area will be made lively by putting up food stalls and art and craft exhibitions. Night sweeping will be also done to provide a clean and better atmosphere inside and outside the Rose Garden.”