Ahead of the upcoming BRICS summit, municipal authorities in South Delhi have erected large, opaque screens around a local slum settlement. The move effectively hides the informal housing area from the sight of passing motorists and visiting delegates. While official statements regarding the specific motivation for the installation have been limited, such measures are frequently employed by city planners during high-profile international events to present a specific image of the urban landscape.

Critics and local residents have expressed concern over the practice, suggesting that the screens serve to mask systemic poverty rather than address the underlying housing and infrastructure needs of the community. Conversely, proponents of the beautification efforts argue that such measures are standard protocol for city management during major diplomatic gatherings to ensure a clean aesthetic for international visitors. The Hindu reports that the settlement remains behind these barriers, though it does not provide specific details on whether the residents were consulted or if the screens are intended to be permanent fixtures. The lack of official transparency regarding the duration of these measures has led to speculation about whether the city intends to remove the structures post-summit or if they will remain as a long-term visual barrier.