The Delhi Assembly is set to hire trained personnel who can mimic langur sounds to address the recurring problem of monkeys entering the Vidhan Sabha premises, officials said on Friday.

The move follows repeated incidents of simians straying into the Assembly complex, raising safety concerns for legislators, staff and visitors.

Persistent monkey problem around Assembly complex

Officials said dozens of monkeys roam in and around the Assembly area, frequently jumping onto wires and dish antennas and damaging infrastructure.

In the past, these animals have repeatedly entered the complex, disrupting normal functioning and posing risks within the high-security zone.

PWD floats tender for humane deterrence

To counter the problem, the Public Works Department (PWD) has floated a fresh tender to deploy trained handlers capable of mimicking langur calls — a method officials described as effective and humane, as it scares monkeys away without causing harm.

The expert will also bring a langur to scare monkeys away.

Cutouts failed as monkeys adapt

Earlier plans to use langur cutouts were dropped after proving ineffective.

"There were also plans to put langur cutouts, but we have seen that monkeys no longer get scared of them. Instead, they sit atop those cutouts," an official said.

Earlier contract ended, fresh deployment planned

Officials said langur impersonators were previously deployed, but their contract has ended, prompting the issuance of a new tender.

Under the plan, trained handlers will be deployed on working days and Saturdays, with each person working an eight-hour shift. The agency will be responsible for providing equipment, maintaining discipline and ensuring compliance with safety norms.

There will also be performance-based monitoring and insurance coverage for deployed personnel.

Past disruption inside the House

The monkey menace is not new to the Assembly. In 2017, a monkey had entered the House and disrupted a discussion on guest teachers in government schools.

Social media reactions: sarcasm, criticism and concern

The announcement triggered sharp and sarcastic reactions on social media. Several users mocked politicians, with comments suggesting monkeys were coming to inspect “monkey business” and claims that animals would eventually adapt to the tactic.

Others used harsher language, calling for the removal of politicians themselves, while some questioned the feasibility of the plan, warning against wasting taxpayers’ money on impractical solutions.

Environmental concerns were also raised, with users pointing to forest destruction as the root cause of human-animal conflict. A few comments went further, criticising Delhi’s broader livability issues, citing air pollution, stray dogs and the monkey menace as signs of systemic failure.