Delhi's ornate roundabouts turn targets for theft, vandalism
As open green spaces and traffic manoeuvres for the sprawling city roads extending from Lutyens' Delhi to other extremes and neighbouring NCR cities, Delhi's roundabouts serve as significant geographical markers. But, this has not made them immune to the Capital's dark side, as thefts and misuse of these public spaces have left many roundabouts dysfunctional. During HT's spot visit to Pandit Pant Marg Circle, fountains at the roundabout stand stripped—nozzles, pots, chains and wires missing; one lies dry, and locked boxes now replace stolen power gear. (Arvind Yadav/HT Photo)
Envisioned as ornate pieces, with fountains, statues, lighting and other artistic installations, most of them are currently riddled with issues, ranging from stolen wires, missing infrastructure and broken equipment, within years of a revamp done in the run-up to the G20 Summit in 2022-23.
In a spot check on May 26, HT identified issues at six major roundabouts.
To be sure, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) is responsible for the construction and maintenance of 52 roundabouts in Lutyens' Delhi area. The civic body carried out a major revamp drive at these roundabouts in 2022-23 for the G20 Summit held in the Capital. Many art pieces, which were installed under the beautification drive, are now missing or in shambles. A dead fountain sits in a green boundary, stripped of wires, lights and nozzles, at Janpath Circle. Guards say the spot now draws homeless people, with locks placed for added security. (Arvind Yadav/HT Photo)
Last year, HT reported that the NDMC was continuing the revamp of roundabouts with sculptures, fountains and ornamental features.
Cut to late May: HT's spot check at six roundabouts in the area found many wires, locks, lamp posts, electricity equipment, signboards, flower pots, plants, and other trinkets adoring the parks missing. Police said thefts are increasing and such items keep disappearing at night.
'The value of the stolen items reportedly ranges from ₹ 20,000 to even ₹ 1 lakh a piece. Thefts started soon after the G20 ended in 2023. Thieves have been targeting NDMC areas to steal copper, iron, flower pots and other items. We have seen a recent surge in such cases but no official complaints come to us. Also, it is difficult to track all roundabouts at night as police are also on security duty in the area,' a senior police officer said.
Over 65 cases of theft were reported between March and April this year, as per police data. Last year, the figure was between 45 and 50 cases a month. Pots, lights, cables and tiles have vanished from the Mandi House roundabout. (Arvind Yadav/HT Photo)
At the roundabout in front of Janpath Road in central Delhi, a dead fountain lies in the middle of the lush green boundary. Crossed by hundreds of commuters every day, the site—lacking wires from lamp posts, mast lights, cables and nozzles from the fountains—is barely noticed. Guards and gardeners in the area said it has become a hub for vagabonds and addicts.
Gardeners and security guards at the roundabout said they were hired by an agency recently for security, and that locks were installed on lights and lamp posts for security purposes.
The Talkatora Circle—connecting Shankar Road, Talkatora Stadium, and Rashtrapati Bhawan Circle—has a roundabout, which also doubles up as a park on paper. However, six stands installed in the park to hoist lights and pots during the G20 Summit were missing during the visit. The centre of the roundabout houses an Indian flag, but there was no light inside the park.
The lush Janpath Circle, with a big pond, shelters workers during the day as trees provide shade during summer. Personnel from the Delhi Police were also seen at a makeshift shelter in the centre. However, a few lights at the site did not have wiring, while others were dysfunctional. In addition, a few low-mast lights were also missing, besides the fountain wires. Plant pots have also disappeared from roundabouts near Parliament and the Rashtrapati Bhavan. (Arvind Yadav/HT Photo)
The Pandit Pant Marg Circle—an essential roundabout connecting Delhi Police Headquarters, Sansad Marg and Patel Chowk—is also affected due to the recent thefts. A gardener at the circle pointed at fountains with missing nozzles, pots, chains and two abandoned electric supply boxes which earlier had equipment, metres and wires but most of the items are now missing. A third power supply box has been put up with a lock for security. Further, the circle has two fountains, of which one is completely empty.
Next, HT visited the Mandi House roundabout, which is a hub for students who come to rehearse at the nearby drama schools and rest in the shade. Colourful pots which used to adorn the main structure of the roundabout have all vanished, diminishing its beauty. In addition to this, low-mast lights, cables and pieces of tiles were also non-existent.
The Central Secretariat Chowk near Parliament and Rashtrapati Bhawan features a lush enclosure with trees, grass and plants. However, pots, wires, chains and cables which were put up during the G20 Summit to beautify and protect the area, were missing here too.
The Delhi Police said multiple complaints have been sent but no official communication has come from NDMC regarding the thefts. 'It's not just the roundabouts, we are also dealing with other missing items which were installed during the G20 Summit across Lutyens' Delhi. We are looking at different cases. Some of the accused were even caught but the vagabonds keep gaining access to the VIP points and steal smaller things, which are easier to hide as they would put them in bags, garbage bags or dustbins,' an officer said.
NDMC officials did not respond to HT's request for a comment on the situation.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Panchkula: Police shutdown illegal hookah, liquor operations; three booked
In a significant crackdown during the early hours of Sunday, local police raided Okho Resort, shutting down an illegal hookah parlour and an unlicenced liquor service. The action was prompted by a tip-off to Kalka police about illicit hookah activities at the venue. District police have booked three individuals. (HT Photo for representation) Upon arrival, the police party observed numerous individuals enjoying drinks and hookah near the swimming pool. A few women were also seen sitting there. During the raid, a man identified as Rohit attempted to dispose of evidence by discarding hookah flavours into the water and emptying liquor bottles. Police recovered six liquor bottles of various brands, including Jameson, Blender's Pride, Black & White, Antiquity Blue, and Hundred Pipers. Also recovered were four hookahs, two chillams, four pipes, and four boxes of flavoured hookah tobacco. District police have booked three individuals identified as Rohit from Pinjore, Kamalpreet from Dharampur Colony, Pinjore, and the resort manager, Amit, from Kalka. A case has been registered under Section 72-C(c) of The Punjab Excise Act, Sections 4 and 5 of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, and Sections 223(b), 271, and 272 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Hindustan Times
4 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Ludhiana: Bathinda trader accuses cops of damaging car
Jun 23, 2025 06:20 AM IST A Bathinda-based businessman accused Ludhiana traffic police of damaging his Skoda Rapid car during towing and refusing to get it repaired. The incident took place on Sunday when the vehicle was towed from Model Town market for alleged wrong parking. The businessman alleged that upon reaching the police lines, he found the engine severely damaged with oil leaking. (HT Photo) Gurpinder Singh, a resident of Rampura Phull, Bathinda, said he was in Ludhiana for kidney stone treatment. After parking his car and stepping out for shopping, he returned to find it missing. The vehicle had been taken to police lines by the traffic police. Gurpinder alleged that upon reaching the police lines, he found the engine severely damaged with oil leaking. Instead of taking responsibility, police officials allegedly offered to release the car without a challan. Gurpinder insisted on a challan as a record of the car being in their custody. Though a challan was finally issued, the police refused to bear repair costs from an authorised dealer and instead offered local repairs. Refusing the offer, Gurpinder said he will pursue legal action. Assistant commissioner of police (Traffic 2), Gurpreet Singh, said the department is liable to repair any vehicle damaged during towing. He assured the matter will be looked into and action will be taken accordingly.
Hindustan Times
4 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Ludhiana: Man thrown into canal, FIR against 19-yr-old woman, aide
A 19-year-old woman, with the help of a male accomplice, allegedly kidnapped and attacked her former friend before throwing him—unconscious—into a canal in Ludhiana's Jodhan area. The victim, however, miraculously survived after being rescued by local farmers working nearby. Both the accused are currently absconding, and police have launched a manhunt. (HT Photo) The police have booked the accused—Jasleen Kaur of Seeloani village and Balkaran Singh of Jattpura village—for attempted murder, criminal conspiracy, and robbery. Both are currently absconding, and police have launched a manhunt. According to police, the victim, Harkirat Singh, a resident of Tungaheri village, had previously shared a close friendship with Jasleen. The two had studied together at a local school and stayed in contact over social media. However, their relationship soured after Jasleen grew close to Balkaran Singh. On June 18, Jasleen allegedly lured Harkirat to come at a secluded plot near the Abohar Branch Canal in Saholi village. Once he arrived, she persuaded him to sit inside her Swift car. Moments later, Balkaran, who had been hiding nearby, entered the car and allegedly strangled Harkirat with gloved hands, while the duo took away his mobile phone and wallet containing his Aadhaar, PAN, and ATM cards. After beating him unconscious, they dumped him into the canal in an apparent attempt to kill him and fled the scene. Fortunately, two local farmers—Jagpal Singh and Tejpal Singh—who were working in the nearby fields, saw him floating in the water body. They pulled him out in an unconscious state and informed his mother. He was first taken to the civil hospital in Pakhowal and later referred to a hospital in Ludhiana due to the critical nature of his condition. Eyewitnesses said Harkirat was wearing only his pants when rescued, indicating that he was violently attacked. Station house officer (SHO) Sahibmeet Singh of Jodhan police station confirmed the case, stating that FIR has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). 'It appears to be a pre-planned attack. We have raided multiple locations but both accused are absconding. They will be arrested soon and dealt with strictly under the law,' he said.
