Vehicular congestion was witnessed at several places in the state capital on Monday as various arms of the district administration battle against the clock to ready the city for the Global Investors Summit, which gets underway in less than ten days' time.

The summit, promising to bring industry and employment to the city, is widely viewed as the cornerstone of the second year of the Mohan Yadav government in the state.

With so much riding on the conclave, which will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 24, the district administration is engaged in hectic preparations to ensure the city is ready for the arrival of delegates.

Repair and painting work continues on the roads leading to the summit venue at Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahlaya (IGRMS).

Restaurateurs at the Boat Club, where the administration has asked them to down shutters for the two days of the summit, say that notices have already been issued to keep their eateries closed during the event, which is scheduled to be attended by political leaders, diplomats, and captains of industry from both India and abroad.

Roadside sculptures and murals, several of them repurposed from scrap, have been cleaned. However, a burqa-clad woman with a little boy was seeking alms from passers-by despite a citywide ban on begging.

In the final stages of preparation, the city continues to undergo various cosmetic and infrastructural enhancements, though certain areas remain a work in progress.

There is a noticeable push to ensure that all roads leading to key locations are accessible, with dedicated teams attending to the streetlights and road markings. Yet, some sections of the city, particularly in more congested areas, still bear the marks of ongoing roadwork, contributing to persistent traffic issues.

While much of the main roads have received attention, pedestrians and service lanes seem to have been relegated to a lower priority. This contrast is especially visible in areas like MP Nagar and New Market Road, where residents are left waiting for improvements to their immediate surroundings.

Public facilities are also being enhanced, though some essential elements appear to be lacking. Water fountains have been activated to welcome guests, who will brave daytime temperatures of over 30 degrees Celsius during the days of the summit.

Efforts to maintain smooth traffic flow are ongoing, with increased police presence and strategic barricades placed at key intersections. However, the final traffic plan is yet to be formalised, leaving some uncertainty about how effectively the city will manage during the influx of delegates.