The Delhi Legislative Assembly complex is taking a unique and specialized approach to tackle its long-standing monkey problem. The Public Works Department (PWD) has issued a fresh tender to hire skilled monkey control experts, with a specific requirement: they must be adept at mimicking the calls of langurs, a traditional and effective simian deterrent.
A Persistent Primate Problem
For years, monkeys have been a common sight within the assembly premises and the surrounding areas, posing significant safety risks. The issue came to a head in 2017 when a monkey entered the legislative house itself, prompting the then-Speaker, Ram Niwas Goel, to voice serious concerns about the potential for lawmakers and staff to be bitten. Officials confirm that despite various attempts to control the situation over the years, the simian incursions have continued unabated.
From Live Langurs to Mimicked Calls
This is not the first initiative to address the menace. The search for a solution began as early as 2020, with contracts being signed in subsequent years, including in 2022. Historically, agencies like the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation used live langurs to scare away smaller monkeys. However, this practice was banned after a Union Environment Ministry circular in November 2012. Since the ban, authorities have relied on humans who can imitate langur sounds, though the effectiveness of these efforts has been inconsistent.
The new tender, floated on Wednesday, estimates the cost of these specialized monkey control services at Rs 17.5 lakh. The PWD will engage a contractor to deploy only proficient experts. An official stated that mimicking langur sounds remains one of the most effective non-harmful deterrents available.
Stringent Terms for Expert Simian Scarers
The contract outlines strict terms to ensure results. The engineer-in-charge holds the authority to assess an expert's competence at any time. If an expert is found lacking the required skill, particularly in mimicking langur calls, they can be removed immediately.
The staffing plan requires five experts per day from Monday to Friday and two on Saturdays, each working an eight-hour shift. Absenteeism will attract a stiff penalty of Rs 1,000 per day. The PWD also reserves the right to terminate the contract at any stage without additional claims.
Liability is clearly defined: the contractor must fully insure all deployed experts and is responsible for any accidents during duty, absolving the assembly secretariat and PWD of any responsibility. This move highlights the administration's continued search for a reliable, humane solution to a problem that has disrupted the heart of Delhi's governance for over a decade.
