File photo of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
Delhi will soon be developed into a tourism hub at par with developed global cities, chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said in New Delhi on friday.
"In the coming five years we will work towards developing Delhi into a tourism hub at par with developed global cities.
Various festivals held to celebrate our heritage are good opportunities to attract tourists and more and more people should visit them," he said while inaugurating the 27th Mango festival in New Delhi.
Delhi's Mango lovers flocked at Delhi Haat, Janakpuri to see a fascinating display of lip smacking varieties of the fruit at the festival which will be on till July 5.
Mr Kejriwal who was accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Delhi Law Minister Kapil Mishra, could not address the public as the stage set at the venue, collapsed minutes before the inauguration due to a dust storm.
Delhi Tourism department organises the Mango Festival every year with an aim to provide exposure to the domestic mango industry. The festival also provides agro and food processing industries the opportunity to display their products.
Thirteen farmers and nine government institutions including Rajya Krishi Utpadan Mandi Parishad (UP), Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Directorate of Horticulture and Food Processing (UP), Bihar Agricultural University and Mother Dairy (New Delhi), are taking part in this edition of the festival.
While over 500 varieties of rare as well as commercially popular mangoes are on display, visitors will also be able to enjoy other activities including cultural performances like mango-eating competition and quizzes on the king of fruits.
The various types of Mangoes which the visitors will be able to relish at the festival include Langra, Chausa, Rataul, Hussainara, Ramkela, Kesar, Fazri, Mallika and Amrapali, among others.
Mango-based products are also be available on sale at the venue.