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NGT bans protests at Jantar Mantar, civil society groups enraged

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8 years ago

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NGT bans protests at Jantar Mantar, civil society groups enraged

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The protest hotspot in the national capital was the venue of the 2011 Lokpal agitation by Anna Hazare which set the pace for UPA government’s ouster

The National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) decision to ban all protests and dharnas around the historic Jantar Mantar area – a known hotspot of many an agitations over the past decades – on grounds that such activities violate environmental laws, has irked civil society groups that would often use the venue for raising their voice against the government on crucial issues.

On Thursday, the green panel had said that the Delhi government had “failed” to protect the right to a pollution-free environment of the citizens living in the area around Jantar Mantar. It had also reprimanded the authorities concerned for failing to ensure that right of the people to a peaceful and comfortable life are not infringed by those who create noise pollution while exercising their right to freedom of speech and expression, which the NGT said, “can never be unlimited”.

The NGT Bench headed by Justice RS Rathore directed the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) to remove all temporary structures, loud speakers and public address systems from the stretch of the Jantar Mantar Road. The municipal body was also directed to remove the garbage lying in the area and clean it within four weeks.

The Tribunal directed the authorities to shift the protesters, agitators and people holding dharnas at Jantar Mantar to the Ramlila Ground near Old Delhi’s Ajmeri Gate “forthwith”.

The NGT’s verdict came on a plea filed by Varun Seth and others alleging that processions and agitations held by social groups, political parties, NGOs at the Jantar Mantar Road were a major source of noise pollution in the area.

“It is amply clear that the petitioners are suffering because of gross violation of laws, air pollution and health hazards due to lack of cleanliness and non- performance of duty by the authorities,” the Bench noted.

The NGT has ordered the NDMC chairman, the city Police Commissioner and the Delhi government to file compliance reports within five weeks.

The NDMC and Delhi police, which stand to obviously benefit from the ban – both outfits are under tremendous pressure when protests happen at Jantar Mantar since it is a VIP area and lies in close proximity to the Parliament – have welcomed the NGT’s order.

According to Delhi Police, on an average eight to ten demonstrations are held daily at Jantar Mantar. Till June 2017, 2,283 dharnas and demonstrations were held as compared to 1,921 in the same period during the year 2016.

It is at Jantar Mantar that social activist Anna Hazare had, in 2011, started his Lokpal agitation against the UPA government. Hazare’s agitation had forced the then Congress-led central government under Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to re-draft the Lokpal Bill after an unprecedented move of forming a joint committee of Union ministers and Hazare’s ‘civil society’ nominees. The agitation had also catapulted Arvind Kejriwal, then a mere activist of the India Against Corruption campaign, to become Delhi’s leading political figure – something that he used to good effect to launch the Aam Aadmi Party despite Hazare’s reservations and eventually sweep the Delhi assembly polls to become the state’s chief minister. Hazare’s protest had also drawn in people like yoga guru and businessman Ramdev, former Army chief General (retired) VK Singh (before he joined the BJP), advocate Prashant Bhushan, etc.

Jantar Mantar had also seen a major protest in 2015 by Army veterans who were demanding ‘One Rank One Pension’ and pay commission benefits. The agitation had hit the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP government hard and forced it to consider the demands.

Understandably, civil society groups and common citizens who have used Jantar Mantar in the past as a protest venue are not happy with the NGT’s order. Several of these members and even journalists, who viewed Jantar Mantar as the only spot in the national capital where dissent against the Centre was not muzzled, took to Twitter and other social media platforms to vent their ire.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_raw_html]JTNDYmxvY2txdW90ZSUyMGNsYXNzJTNEJTIydHdpdHRlci10d2VldCUyMiUyMGRhdGEtbGFuZyUzRCUyMmVuJTIyJTNFJTNDcCUyMGxhbmclM0QlMjJoaSUyMiUyMGRpciUzRCUyMmx0ciUyMiUzRUphbnRhci4lMjAlMjBNYW50YXIlM0NhJTIwaHJlZiUzRCUyMmh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGdHdpdHRlci5jb20lMkZoYXNodGFnJTJGS2FoYV9IYWlfVmlrYXMlM0ZzcmMlM0RoYXNoJTI2YW1wJTNCcmVmX3NyYyUzRHR3c3JjJTI1NUV0ZnclMjIlM0UlMjNLYWhhX0hhaV9WaWthcyUzQyUyRmElM0UlMjAlM0NiciUzRSVFMCVBNCVCOSVFMCVBNCVBRSVFMCVBNSU4NyUyMCUyMCVFMCVBNCVCNiVFMCVBNSU4OCVFMCVBNCU5NSUyMCVFMCVBNCVBOCVFMCVBNCVCOSVFMCVBNSU4MCUyMCVFMCVBNCVCOSVFMCVBNSU4OCUyMCVFMCVBNCU5QyVFMCVBNCVBOCVFMCVBNSU4RCVFMCVBNCVBNCVFMCVBNCVCMCUyMCVFMCVBNCVBRSVFMCVBNCU4MiVFMCVBNCVBNCVFMCVBNCVCMCUyMCVFMCVBNCVBQSVFMCVBNCVCMCUyMCVFMCVBNCVBQSVFMCVBNCVBMSVFMCVBNSU4NyUyMCVFMCVBNCVCMCVFMCVBNCVCOSVFMCVBNCVBOCVFMCVBNSU4NyUyMCVFMCVBNCU5NSVFMCVBNCVCRSUyMCVFMCVBNCVCOSVFMCVBNCVBRSUyMCVFMCVBNCVBOCVFMCVBNSU4RCVFMCVBNCVBRiVFMCVBNCVCRSVFMCVBNCVBRiUyMCVFMCVBNCU5NSVFMCVBNCVCRiUyMCVFMCVBNCVBRSVFMCVBNCVCRSVFMCVBNCU4MiVFMCVBNCU5NyUyMCVFMCVBNCU5NSVFMCVBNSU4QiUyMCVFMCVBNCVCMiVFMCVBNSU4NyVFMCVBNCU5NSVFMCVBNCVCMCUyMCVFMCVBNCVBQyVFMCVBNSU4OCVFMCVBNCVBMCVFMCVBNSU4NyUyMCVFMCVBNCVCOSVFMCVBNSU4OCUyMCVFMCVBNCU5NCVFMCVBNCVCMCUyMCVFMCVBNCVCOSVFMCVBNCVBRSUyMENCbCUyMCVFMCVBNCU5QyVFMCVBNCVCRSVFMCVBNCU4MiVFMCVBNCU5QSUyMCVFMCVBNCVBRSVFMCVBNCVCRSVFMCVBNCU4MiVFMCVBNCU5NyUyMCVFMCVBNCVCMCVFMCVBNCVCOSVFMCVBNSU4NyUyMCVFMCVBNCVCOSVFMCVBNSU4OCVFMCVBNSVBNCUyMCUzQ2ElMjBocmVmJTNEJTIyaHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ0LmNvJTJGd0JSN0lOVnVoQSUyMiUzRXBpYy50d2l0dGVyLmNvbSUyRndCUjdJTlZ1aEElM0MlMkZhJTNFJTNDJTJGcCUzRSUyNm1kYXNoJTNCJTIwUmFtZXNoJTIwJTI4JTQwUmFtZXNoMzIwOTI1MTUlMjklMjAlM0NhJTIwaHJlZiUzRCUyMmh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGdHdpdHRlci5jb20lMkZSYW1lc2gzMjA5MjUxNSUyRnN0YXR1cyUyRjkxNjIzNjg1OTA5MjUwODY3MiUzRnJlZl9zcmMlM0R0d3NyYyUyNTVFdGZ3JTIyJTNFT2N0b2JlciUyMDYlMkMlMjAyMDE3JTNDJTJGYSUzRSUzQyUyRmJsb2NrcXVvdGUlM0UlMEElM0NzY3JpcHQlMjBhc3luYyUyMHNyYyUzRCUyMiUyRiUyRnBsYXRmb3JtLnR3aXR0ZXIuY29tJTJGd2lkZ2V0cy5qcyUyMiUyMGNoYXJzZXQlM0QlMjJ1dGYtOCUyMiUzRSUzQyUyRnNjcmlwdCUzRSUwQSUyMCUwQSUzQ2Jsb2NrcXVvdGUlMjBjbGFzcyUzRCUyMnR3aXR0ZXItdHdlZXQlMjIlMjBkYXRhLWxhbmclM0QlMjJlbiUyMiUzRSUzQ3AlMjBsYW5nJTNEJTIyZW4lMjIlMjBkaXIlM0QlMjJsdHIlMjIlM0VUYWxraW5nJTIwb2YlMjBub2lzZSUyMHBvbGx1dGlvbiUyMGFuZCUyMGNsb3NpbmclMjBkb3duJTIwb2YlMjBKYW50YXIlMjBNYW50YXIlMjBhcyUyMHByb3Rlc3QlMjBzcGFjZSUyMCUyQyUyMHdpbGwlMjBiZSUyMGdvb2QlMjB0byUyMHN0b3AlMjAlMjYlMjMzOSUzQk1hbiUyMGtpJTIwQmFhdCUyMCUyNiUyMzM5JTNCJTIwYXMlMjBmaXJzdCUyMHN0ZXAuJTNDJTJGcCUzRSUyNm1kYXNoJTNCJTIwU2hhYm5hbSUyMEhhc2htaSUyMCUyOCU0MFNoYWJuYW1IYXNobWklMjklMjAlM0NhJTIwaHJlZiUzRCUyMmh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGdHdpdHRlci5jb20lMkZTaGFibmFtSGFzaG1pJTJGc3RhdHVzJTJGOTE2MTgwMjQ1NDAwNjI1MTUyJTNGcmVmX3NyYyUzRHR3c3JjJTI1NUV0ZnclMjIlM0VPY3RvYmVyJTIwNiUyQyUyMDIwMTclM0MlMkZhJTNFJTNDJTJGYmxvY2txdW90ZSUzRSUwQSUzQ3NjcmlwdCUyMGFzeW5jJTIwc3JjJTNEJTIyJTJGJTJGcGxhdGZvcm0udHdpdHRlci5jb20lMkZ3aWRnZXRzLmpzJTIyJTIwY2hhcnNldCUzRCUyMnV0Zi04JTIyJTNFJTNDJTJGc2NyaXB0JTNFJTBBJTIwJTBBJTNDYmxvY2txdW90ZSUyMGNsYXNzJTNEJTIydHdpdHRlci10d2VldCUyMiUyMGRhdGEtbGFuZyUzRCUyMmVuJTIyJTNFJTNDcCUyMGxhbmclM0QlMjJlbiUyMiUyMGRpciUzRCUyMmx0ciUyMiUzRUphbnRhciUyME1hbnRhciUyMHN5bWJvbGlzZXMlMjB2aWJyYW50JTIwZGVtb2NyYWN5LiUyME9yZGVyJTIwdG8lMjBjbG9zZSUyMGl0JTIwaXMlMjBhbnRpJTIwZGVtb2NyYXRpYyUyQyUyMGFnJTIwc3Bpcml0JTIwb2YlMjBjb25zdGl0dXRpb24lMkMlMjBjdXJicyUyMGJhc2ljJTIwcmlnaHQlMjBvZiUyMGNpdGl6ZW5zLiUzQyUyRnAlM0UlMjZtZGFzaCUzQiUyMGFzaHV0b3NoJTIwJTI4JTQwYXNodXRvc2g4M0IlMjklMjAlM0NhJTIwaHJlZiUzRCUyMmh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGdHdpdHRlci5jb20lMkZhc2h1dG9zaDgzQiUyRnN0YXR1cyUyRjkxNjE1MDgxMjk4Nzg5NTgwOCUzRnJlZl9zcmMlM0R0d3NyYyUyNTVFdGZ3JTIyJTNFT2N0b2JlciUyMDYlMkMlMjAyMDE3JTNDJTJGYSUzRSUzQyUyRmJsb2NrcXVvdGUlM0UlMEElM0NzY3JpcHQlMjBhc3luYyUyMHNyYyUzRCUyMiUyRiUyRnBsYXRmb3JtLnR3aXR0ZXIuY29tJTJGd2lkZ2V0cy5qcyUyMiUyMGNoYXJzZXQlM0QlMjJ1dGYtOCUyMiUzRSUzQyUyRnNjcmlwdCUzRSUwQSUyMCUwQSUzQ2Jsb2NrcXVvdGUlMjBjbGFzcyUzRCUyMnR3aXR0ZXItdHdlZXQlMjIlMjBkYXRhLWxhbmclM0QlMjJlbiUyMiUzRSUzQ3AlMjBsYW5nJTNEJTIyZW4lMjIlMjBkaXIlM0QlMjJsdHIlMjIlM0VOR1QlMjBiYW5zJTIwSmFudGFyJTIwTWFudGFyJTIwcHJvdGVzdHMlMjBkdWUlMjB0byUyMG5vaXNlJTIwcG9sbHV0aW9uJTNGUmlnaHQlMjB0byUyMHByb3Rlc3QlMjBwZWFjZWZ1bGx5JTIwYnklMjBhbnklMjBncm91cCUyMG9yJTIwaW5kaXZpZHVhbCUyMGF0JTIwdGhlJTIwaGVhcnQlMjBvZiUyMG91ciUyMGRlbW9jcmFjeSUzQyUyRnAlM0UlMjZtZGFzaCUzQiUyMHNvbmlhJTIwc2luZ2glMjAlMjglNDBzb25pYW5kdHYlMjklMjAlM0NhJTIwaHJlZiUzRCUyMmh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGdHdpdHRlci5jb20lMkZzb25pYW5kdHYlMkZzdGF0dXMlMkY5MTU5MTg1MDI0NTE0OTA4MTYlM0ZyZWZfc3JjJTNEdHdzcmMlMjU1RXRmdyUyMiUzRU9jdG9iZXIlMjA1JTJDJTIwMjAxNyUzQyUyRmElM0UlM0MlMkZibG9ja3F1b3RlJTNFJTBBJTNDc2NyaXB0JTIwYXN5bmMlMjBzcmMlM0QlMjIlMkYlMkZwbGF0Zm9ybS50d2l0dGVyLmNvbSUyRndpZGdldHMuanMlMjIlMjBjaGFyc2V0JTNEJTIydXRmLTglMjIlM0UlM0MlMkZzY3JpcHQlM0U=[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Thick smog engulfs Delhi, flights and trains delayed as air quality slips to very poor

Delhi remained under a thick smog cover as air quality dipped into the very poor category, causing delays in flights and train services due to low visibility.

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1 day ago

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December 20, 2025

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A dense blanket of smog covered Delhi on Saturday morning, pushing air quality into the ‘very poor’ category and disrupting flight and train operations across the national capital and adjoining areas. Reduced visibility due to smog led to delays in air and rail traffic, while authorities warned that pollution levels could worsen further in the coming days.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi was recorded at 380, placing it in the ‘very poor’ bracket. Visuals from Bhairav Marg near Pragati Maidan showed motorists using headlights during early hours, as visibility remained low. At around 7 am, the AQI at this location stood at 433.

Nearly half of Delhi’s air quality monitoring stations reported ‘severe’ pollution levels. Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 428 with PM2.5 as the dominant pollutant, while Jahangirpuri reported an AQI of 425.

Transport services hit by low visibility

Flight operations at Delhi airport were impacted due to low visibility conditions. The airport issued an advisory asking passengers to check with their respective airlines for updated flight information, as low visibility procedures were in place. Runway visibility was reported to be between 800 and 1,200 metres.

Live flight tracking data showed multiple flights running behind schedule. One airline also warned passengers about possible disruptions at several airports in northern and eastern India, including Delhi, due to dense fog conditions. Travellers were advised to verify flight status before heading to the airport, with options offered on select flights to reschedule or seek refunds without additional charges.

Rail services were also affected, with more than 30 trains running late by an average of three to four hours. Some long-distance trains reported delays of over six to eight hours, causing inconvenience to passengers travelling to and from the capital.

Air quality likely to worsen

The weather department had earlier forecast dense to very dense fog at isolated places over Delhi and several parts of north and central India. According to the Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi, pollution levels are expected to remain in the ‘very poor’ category on Saturday and may slip into the ‘severe’ category on Sunday and Monday. In view of the deteriorating conditions, an ‘orange’ alert has been issued for Saturday.

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PM Modi inaugurates India’s first nature-themed airport terminal in Assam

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates the new nature-themed terminal at Guwahati airport, the largest in Northeast India, built around bamboo, orchids and regional heritage.

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1 day ago

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December 20, 2025

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PM modi in Assam

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the new terminal building of Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International (LGBI) Airport in Guwahati today, marking a major milestone for aviation infrastructure in the Northeast. Built at an estimated cost of around Rs 4,000 crore, the facility is being projected as the largest airport terminal in the region and a key boost to connectivity, tourism and economic activity in Assam.

The Prime Minister is scheduled to arrive in Guwahati around 3 pm as part of his two-day visit to the state.

Northeast’s largest airport terminal takes shape in Guwahati

The newly constructed terminal is nearly seven times larger than the existing one and has been designed to cater to the region’s rapidly growing air traffic. Once fully operational, it is expected to handle up to 13.1 million passengers annually by 2032.

Officials said the terminal is planned as a regional connectivity hub, with a focus on strengthening air links between India and Southeast Asia. The airport will be capable of handling up to 34 air traffic movements per hour, the highest capacity among airports in the Northeast. The facility will also be equipped with one of the most advanced Instrument Landing Systems to support safer and more efficient operations.

Nature-inspired design rooted in Assam’s identity

What sets the Guwahati terminal apart is its distinctive nature-themed architecture. Conceptualised under the theme “Bamboo Orchids”, it is being described as India’s first airport terminal inspired entirely by natural and cultural elements.

The interiors draw from the landscapes of Northeast India, with design elements reflecting indigenous orchids, locally known as Kopou Phool, and the flow of the Brahmaputra river. The terminal incorporates more than 2,000 species of plants, includes a dedicated zone inspired by Kaziranga National Park, and features artefacts representing Majuli Island.

A key architectural highlight is the expansive bamboo vault, created using around 140 metric tonnes of locally sourced bamboo. The space has been envisioned as a multifunctional cultural centre aimed at encouraging community interaction and showcasing the region’s heritage. Design elements such as japi motifs, the iconic rhino symbol and 57 orchid-inspired columns further reinforce the cultural narrative.

Arriving passengers will also experience a unique “Sky Forest”, featuring nearly one lakh plants of indigenous species, designed to create an immersive forest-like ambience within the terminal.

Focus on digital integration and passenger convenience

Spread over nearly 1.4 lakh square metres, the integrated new terminal has been designed to handle around 1.3 crore passengers annually. It is supported by significant upgrades to the runway, airfield systems, aprons and taxiways.

The terminal places strong emphasis on digital integration, with 14 entry points, including four DigiYatra gates, aimed at easing passenger movement. Facilities such as full-body scanners for non-intrusive security checks, automated baggage handling systems, fast-track immigration and AI-driven airport operations have been incorporated to ensure smoother travel experiences.

Other engagements during PM Modi’s Assam visit

During his two-day stay, the Prime Minister will also lay foundation stones for multiple development projects and address public gatherings. He is scheduled to visit the Swahid Smarak Kshetra to pay tribute to the martyrs of the historic Assam Movement.

Later in the day, PM Modi will perform the bhoomipujan for a new brownfield Ammonia-Urea Fertiliser Project at Namrup in Dibrugarh district, within the existing premises of the Brahmaputra Valley Fertiliser Corporation Limited.

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Assam train accident: Eight elephants killed after Rajdhani Express derailment in Hojai

Eight elephants were killed after the Rajdhani Express collided with a herd in Assam’s Hojai district, causing multiple coaches to derail and disrupting train services.

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2 days ago

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December 20, 2025

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assam train accident

At least eight elephants were killed and a calf was injured after a herd collided with the Sairang–New Delhi Rajdhani Express in Assam’s Hojai district, leading to the derailment of the locomotive and five coaches early Saturday. Railway officials confirmed that no passengers were injured in the incident.

Forest department officials said the collision occurred when the New Delhi-bound Rajdhani Express struck a herd of elephants on the tracks. The impact caused multiple coaches to derail, disrupting rail traffic on the busy route connecting the Northeast with the national capital.

Train services hit, passengers shifted to other coaches

Following the derailment, rail movement towards Upper Assam and other parts of the Northeast was affected due to damaged coaches and elephant remains scattered on the tracks. Accident relief trains and senior railway officials rushed to the site to restore services.

Passengers travelling in the affected coaches were temporarily accommodated in vacant berths in other coaches of the same train. Officials said that once the train reaches Guwahati, additional coaches will be attached to ensure all passengers can continue their journey.

Collision occurred outside designated elephant corridor

According to officials, the accident took place at a location that is not marked as a designated elephant corridor. The loco pilot reportedly applied emergency brakes after spotting the herd on the tracks, but the elephants ran into the train, resulting in the collision and derailment.

Forest authorities confirmed that eight elephants died on the spot, while one injured calf was rescued. Local residents said the herd consisted of around eight elephants at the time of the accident.

Elephant deaths in train accidents remain a concern

The incident comes amid continued concerns over wildlife deaths on railway tracks. Data shared by the Environment Ministry in Parliament earlier showed that at least 79 elephants have died in train collisions across India over the past five years, based on reports from states and Union Territories.

The ministry has said that several preventive steps are being taken in coordination with the Railways, including speed restrictions in elephant habitats, use of sensor-based detection systems, and construction of underpasses, ramps and fencing at vulnerable locations. Guidelines and capacity-building programmes have also been introduced to reduce human-animal conflict along railway lines.

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