A decorative fountain installed near the Lodhi Road red light has been vandalised just days after its installation. The structure was set up by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) as part of the beautification drive for the India AI Impact Summit 2026. Officials discovered the damage on the morning of February 21, leading to a formal police complaint. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of public property in high-security zones.
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Details of the Incident and Police Action
The damage reportedly occurred on the night of February 20, shortly after the summit events concluded. The fountain, costing ₹1.5 lakh, was located in front of the fixed compactor transfer station near Nizamuddin Basti. An FIR has been lodged at the Nizamuddin police station under the Anti-Defacement Act and relevant sections of the IPC regarding the destruction of public property.
Police are currently reviewing CCTV footage from the Lodhi Road and Nizamuddin stretches to identify those responsible for the act. This fountain was part of a larger city-wide beautification project involving the Public Works Department (PWD) and aimed at improving heritage areas like Humayun’s Tomb and Lodhi Hotel.
Current Status of Repairs and Investigation
Authorities have decided not to repair the fountain immediately. A senior official confirmed that restoration work is on hold to avoid interfering with the ongoing forensic and police investigation. As of March 6, the police have started questioning a suspect in connection with the incident.
Officials stated that stringent action will be taken to safeguard public infrastructure created with taxpayer money. This incident follows similar reports of theft involving nozzles and wiring from other installations at Bharat Mandapam, highlighting the need for better security for civic assets.
