After Jantar Mantar, Delhi's new protest sites face access, infrastructure, visibility hurdles

After Jantar Mantar, Delhi's new protest sites face access, infrastructure, visibility hurdles left A view of CBD Ground in Shahdara (East Delhi) -- a 12-acre Delhi Development Authority (DDA) property that now serves as one of Delhi's newly designated protest sites following the de-notification of Jantar Mantar, New Delhi. Sushil Kumar Verma Sushil Kumar Verma https://th-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/6rjojo/article71596611.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/CBD%20GROUND%20DELHI%20PROTEST%20SITE%2011.JPG SUSHIL KUMAR VERMA NEW DELHI, 17/10/2026: A view of CBD Ground in Shahdara (East Delhi) is a 12-acre Delhi Development Authority (DDA) property that now serves as one of Delhi's newly designated protest sites following the de-notification of Jantar Mantar, New Delhi on Saturday. Photo: Sushil Kumar Verma / The Hindu

From waterlogged patches at Ramlila Maidan to waist-high grass at CBD Ground and barricaded entry points at Burari, a visit to the three proposed venues reveals the practical challenges of relocating demonstrations away from Jantar Mantar

NEW DELHI

After Jantar Mantar was denotified as a protest site, three alternative venues -- Ramlila Maidan in central Delhi, CBD Ground in east Delhi and Burari Ground in north Delhi -- have come into focus. But a visit to the sites reveals questions over their accessibility, infrastructure and availability, besides the distance protesters would have to travel to reach them.

Jantar Mantar denotified as protest site based on SC order: police to High Court storyline 1 Jantar Mantar no longer a protest site: All about Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground, and CBD Ground Jantar Mantar no longer a protest site: All about Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground, and CBD Ground The de-notification of Jantar Mantar has drawn criticism from activists and Opposition parties who allege that this is a stifling of the citizens' right to protest. Jantar Mantar no longer a protest site: All about Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground, and CBD Ground storyline 1

Ramlila Maidan: Puddles, events and limited availability

left A view of Ramlila Maidan after it was designated as one of the three protest sites. Sushil Kumar Verma Sushil Kumar Verma https://th-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/w2k9v9/article71596586.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/RAMLILA%20MAIDAN%203.JPG SUSHIL KUMAR VERMA NEW DELHI, 13/10/2026: A view of Ramlila Maidan. as Ramlila Maidan, newly designated as one of the capitals three protest site , New Delhi on Tuesday. Photo: Sushil Kumar Verma / The Hindu

Located around 3-4 km from Jantar Mantar, Ramlila Maidan is the closest of the three alternatives and has a long history of hosting political rallies and mass movements. However, its use for demonstrations could be constrained by the cost of booking the venue and a calendar crowded with other events.

During The Hindu's visit, large conical tents, a giant wheel, amusement rides and food stalls occupied parts of the ground as Dussehra celebrations continued in the city. Walking across the 12-acre site was difficult in places, with puddles dotting the ground.

Jantar Mantar denotified in its second busiest year since 2016 | Data Jantar Mantar denotified in its second busiest year since 2016 | Data The site has seen more than 600 demonstrations for free over the past decade, while newer sites hold financial constraints and are farther from Parliament. Jantar Mantar denotified in its second busiest year since 2016 | Data storyline 1

Its location amid densely populated neighbourhoods and busy roads, though strategic, poses a traffic management challenge. It is managed by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, which charges a booking fee of around ₹50,000 a day, apart from a refundable security deposit. A no-objection certificate from the Delhi Traffic Police is also required to host events here. The venue can accommodate around 50,000 people.

Beyond Dussehra and Ramlila celebrations, the ground hosts rallies, marches and other events through the year. A portion is also used for MCD parking, further limiting the space available at any given time.

CBD Ground: Tall grass and muddy patches amid an urban hub

left A view of CBD Ground in Shahdara (East Delhi). Sushil Kumar Verma Sushil Kumar Verma https://th-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/ubrmtx/article71596607.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/CBD%20GROUND%20DELHI%20PROTEST%20SITE%201.JPG SUSHIL KUMAR VERMA NEW DELHI, 17/10/2026: A view of CBD Ground in Shahdara (East Delhi) is a 12-acre Delhi Development Authority (DDA) property that now serves as one of Delhi's newly designated protest sites following the de-notification of Jantar Mantar, New Delhi on Saturday. Photo: Sushil Kumar Verma / The Hindu

Located around 13km from Jantar Mantar, the Central Business District (CBD) Ground in Shahdara would shift demonstrations to east Delhi, away from the Capital's central political and administrative district. Spread across approximately 12 acres, one section of the ground has a capacity of around 15,000 people.

During The Hindu's visit, parts of the ground were occupied by Ramlila celebrations and a fair. In another part, grass as tall as six feet stretched across a large expanse, broken by muddy patches and scattered garbage, raising concerns about its readiness to host public gatherings.

Jantar Mantar: From astronomical observatory to landmark protest site Jantar Mantar: From astronomical observatory to landmark protest site The Delhi Jantar Mantar, originally known as Yantra Mantra, was built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II of Jaipur as an astronomical observatory at the behest of Mughal emperor Muhammad Shah Jantar Mantar: From astronomical observatory to landmark protest site storyline 1

The ground is surrounded by residential colonies, markets, luxury hotels and other commercial establishments. It is also used for community events and wedding functions through the year, potentially complicating its availability for demonstrations.

Burari Ground: A vast expanse behind barriers

left A view of the Burari Ground. Sushil Kumar Verma Sushil Kumar Verma https://th-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/u8l90b/article71596593.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/BURARI%20GROUND%204.JPG SUSHIL KUMAR VERMA NEW DELHI, 13/10/2026: A view of Burari Ground. as the Burari Ground , newly designated as one of the capitals three protest site , New Delhi on Tuesday. Photo: Sushil Kumar Verma / The Hindu

Burari Ground, also known as Nirankari Ground, is the largest of the three proposed sites, spanning around 50 acres in north Delhi. Located approximately 23km from Jantar Mantar, along the Outer Ring Road, it is also the farthest from the traditional protest hub.

The expansive ground presents a patchwork of terrain. During The Hindu's visit on Saturday (October 17, 2026), waterlogged stretches lay alongside green patches where grass had grown to around four feet. Tarred tracks cut through sections of the ground, while other routes remained unpaved.

Supreme Court may list a plea that de-notifying Jantar Mantar pushes dissent 'out of sight, out of mind' Supreme Court may list a plea that de-notifying Jantar Mantar pushes dissent 'out of sight, out of mind' Protests in Delhi's outskirts will be far from the earshot of ordinary citizens and the corridors of power, diminishing their impact, plea says; notes that no SOPs have been laid out for alternative venues Supreme Court may list a plea that de-notifying Jantar Mantar pushes dissent 'out of sight, out of mind' storyline 1

According to the locals, the ground has served as an informal recreational space for residents, who used it to play cricket, football and other sports. Driving learners practised riding two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and cars, while cattle could be seen grazing across the open expanse.

But access was restricted during the visit. Wire fencing ran along the perimeter, while wide pits had been dug at entry points to prevent vehicles from entering. A large yellow board bearing the Delhi Development Authority's name stood outside the ground.

Unlike a developed public venue, the ground has no shade, making temporary tents necessary for prolonged demonstrations. Depending on the section booked, the arrangements could add to the cost of holding a protest.

Jantar Mantar, the heartland of dissent in Delhi | In pictures Following mass agitations demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Delhi Police formally de-notified Jantar Mantar as a designated protest venue on October 12, 2026 gallery

Its distance from central Delhi presents another challenge. Reaching the ground would require protesters travelling from across the Capital to make a longer journey, while demonstrations held there could be farther from the political institutions and public spaces where they seek to draw attention to their demands.

For this reason, during the 2020-21 farmers' agitation, farmer unions rejected the government's proposal to shift their demonstration to Burari, describing the site as an "open jail".

The Delhi Police said revised standard operating procedures for the three venues, detailing how demonstrations would be organised under the new arrangement, would be issued.