He is principal correspondent based at Bhopal. He covers environment and wildlife, state administration, BJP and other saffron organisations. He has special interest in social issues based stories.
Articles by Neeraj Santoshi
Bhopal: NGT seeks response from Centre, railway ministry
The NGT has sought response from the Centre, railway ministry and pollution control board with regard to laying standards for protection of environment from pollutants discharged from train toilets.
Updated on Sep 26, 2014 03:55 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Neeraj Santoshi, Bhopal
Crocodile attacks man at Bhopal's Kaliasot dam
A 46-year-old man was attacked by a crocodile at Bhopal's Kaliasot dam where he had gone for fishing on Tuesday. The crocodile bit his left leg, making deep puncturing wounds.
Updated on Sep 28, 2014 09:00 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Neeraj Santoshi, Bhopal
Dengue tightens its grip on Bhopal as admin fails to check spread
For the last few weeks, Kolar has become the epicentre of dengue outbreak in Bhopal. Initially, the cases were reported from TT Nagar, but for the last few weeks, most of the cases are being detected in Kolar area.
Updated on Sep 23, 2014 06:04 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Neeraj Santoshi, Bhopal
Close diamond mining in Panna tiger reserve by 2017: Panel
If the recent recommendations of the environment impact monitoring panel are accepted, the world-famous Panna diamond mines may have only three more years to bedazzle the world.
Updated on Sep 22, 2014 10:22 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Neeraj Santoshi, Bhopal
Health dept asked to explain use of drugs without tests in hospitals in Bhopal
A communique sent to the MP health department has sought explanation from it regarding "irregular use of drugs" and "use of substandard medicines" in health institutions of the state government.
Updated on Sep 22, 2014 03:48 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Neeraj Santoshi, Bhopal
Tigress dies in Madhya Pradesh after radio-collar infection
T4, the tigress raised in captivity and known for being part of a successful path-breaking breeding experiment, died of an infection caused by its radio-collar at Panna Tiger Reserve, officials said on Friday.
Updated on Sep 19, 2014 11:22 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Neeraj Santoshi, Bhopal
79% wells in Madhya Pradesh show rise in groundwater level
In the last one decade, over one-fifth of the monitoring wells in Madhya Pradesh have recorded fall in the groundwater level, while about 79% of the wells have shown rise in the water level.
Updated on Sep 18, 2014 04:08 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Neeraj Santoshi, Bhopal
Govt report expresses concern over groundwater exploitation in MP
Indiscriminate exploitation of ground water in Madhya Pradesh is threatening supply to the state’s rural areas and is even leading to salinity in inland aquifers, a government report has said.
Updated on Sep 16, 2014 07:43 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Neeraj Santoshi, Bhopal
Bhopal masterplan 2031 becomes victim of electoral politics
There has been an inordinate delay in the finalisation of Bhopal masterplan 2031. However with civic polls scheduled later this year,the fate of masterplan continues to remain uncertain for another year or so.
Updated on Sep 14, 2014 08:31 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Neeraj Santoshi, Bhopal
12 MP districts most vulnerable to climate change, reveals study
Twelve districts of Madhya Pradesh are most vulnerable to climate change, a study that is based on census 2011 has revealed. These districts include Bhopal, Indore and Gwalior.
Updated on Sep 10, 2014 08:50 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Neeraj Santoshi, Bhopal
Bhopal: Semitic beliefs led to eco degradation, says RSS functionary
Emphasising that ‘Bhartiya way’ was the best way to tackle challenges posed by climate change, a senior RSS leader termed Semitic beliefs as one of the causes for environmental degradation.
Updated on Sep 08, 2014 07:09 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Neeraj Santoshi, Bhopal
Pollution control norms violated in Bhopal during idol immersion
In contrast to high decibel rhetoric on eco-friendly idol immersion for the last few weeks, most of the guidelines issued by Central Pollution Control Board for idol immersion are being thrown to winds.
Updated on Sep 06, 2014 03:56 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Neeraj Santoshi, Bhopal
Delay in notifying Ratapani tiger reserve exposes big cats to danger
The spotting of tigers near human habitations in Bhopal and Sehore has not only given sleepless nights to villagers but also has raised concerns over the movement of tigers from Ratapani wildlife sanctuary.
Published on Sep 01, 2014 04:10 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Neeraj Santoshi, Bhopal
Chickenpox among 3 'vaccinated' kids in Chhatarapur raises concern
Despite tall claims by MP health officials about successfully vaccinating children against chickenpox, doctors diagnosed four children with the contagious disease including three who had been ‘vaccinated’.
Updated on Aug 29, 2014 10:11 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Neeraj Santoshi, Bhopal
Kishore Da's son visits ancestral house in Khandwa, denies rumours of selling it
Kishore Kumar’s son Sumit Kumar and nephew Arjun Kumar visited their ancestral house — Ganguly House Gaurikunj — in Khandwa on Tuesday amid rumours that they had come to sell the property.
Updated on Aug 27, 2014 05:16 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Neeraj Santoshi & Sunil Kerhalkar, Bhopal/khandwa
Madhya Pradesh government forms panel to protect tigers
MP government announced on Thursday the formation of a committee headed by chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to monitor the protection of tigers in the forests of Bandhavgarh.
Updated on Aug 22, 2014 03:59 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Neeraj Santoshi, Bhopal
Tiger panel report paints grim picture for Bandhavgarh big cats
A range of threats is contributing to the increasing number of tiger deaths in Bandhavgarh reserve, which has the country’s highest density of big cats, a new report by the National Tiger Conservation Authority has said.
Updated on Aug 19, 2014 11:06 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Neeraj Santoshi, Bhopal
MP government to fund lion translocation on its own
The majestic Asiatic lions may finally find a new home. The much-awaited reintroduction of Asiatic lions from Gir forests of Gujarat to Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary of Sheopur district of MP is all set to take off.
Updated on Aug 16, 2014 09:30 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Neeraj Santoshi, Bhopal
Six events that changed history and geography of Madhya Pradesh
It is not easy to characterize a state like MP. Called the heart of India, it has been a melting pot of cultures and outside influences for centuries. After a lot of discussions, arguments and research, HT put six biggest moments in its history since 1947.
Updated on Aug 15, 2014 12:33 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Neeraj Santoshi, Bhopal
Four-storey building tilts; panic in old Bhopal
A four-storey building in a thickly populated area of old Bhopal has developed cracks and tilted. The incident has created panic and at least 200 people have gathered in the area.
Updated on Aug 06, 2014 05:42 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Neeraj Santoshi, Bhopal
Kishore Da’s house lives in neglect in Khandwa
The gate of the iconic Ganguly House, Kishore Kumar's ancestral house in Khandwa, is rusting. It is perhaps an apt image to indicate how MP government has treated the memory of this iconic singer.
Updated on Aug 05, 2014 03:00 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Neeraj Santoshi, Bhopal
Stray animal shelter delayed, canine menace continues in Bhopal
Somewhere between 40 to 70 people are bitten by dogs in Bhopal and adjoining areas every day. Even though canine terror continues to haunt the city, Bhopal Municipal Corporation has failed the menace.
Updated on Aug 01, 2014 01:14 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Neeraj Santoshi, Bhopal
New species of frog, snake and lizard recorded in Madhya Pradesh
The first of its kind survey of reptiles and amphibian species in Madhya Pradesh has recorded new species of frog, snake and lizard, earlier not reported in the state.
Updated on Dec 23, 2013 07:35 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Neeraj Santoshi, Bhopal
Locals earned little from Rio Tinto’s diamond project
MP chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan promised 1,000 jobs and a Rs. 2,200 crore investment in his letter to PM while lobbying for multinational Rio Tinto, but HT’s visit to ground zero in Chhattarpur district revealed that the locals have earned little from one of the richest diamond reserves in the country.
Updated on Dec 17, 2013 01:31 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Neeraj Santoshi, Bhopal
Bhopal wants ‘park first, toilet later’
The Bhopal Municipal Corporation had to abandon toilet construction near the statue of Tulsidas, who wrote the Ramcharitmanas, in Tulsi Park following strong opposition from the people. Neeraj Santoshi reports.
Updated on Oct 17, 2013 01:11 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Neeraj Santoshi, Bhopal
In MP's Ravan village, the demon king is a revered deity
Before solemnising any marriage in the village, the first wedding card is sent to Ravana’s temple, one of the very few in India. The villagers also seek blessings of the King of Lanka before any festival.
Updated on Oct 15, 2013 11:31 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Neeraj Santoshi, Ravan (vidisha)
MP elections: Rate your MLA before you vote
A recently launched web portal ‘I for India’ will allow you to express your views and make a choice much ahead of the elections. You could even rate the chief minister.
Updated on Sep 30, 2013 04:58 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Neeraj Santoshi, Bhopal
Only assurances, no implementation: youth
Most of the youth lauds the efforts of Shivraj Sigh Chouhan for trying his best to help the youth, but pointed out that in the far flung areas of the state, the schemes are not implemented in the right spirit and they are made to run from pillar to post to get things done.
Updated on Aug 27, 2013 10:08 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Neeraj Santoshi, Bhopal
Bhopal : BMC wary of removing old buildings
With heavy rainfall there is always a possibility that some old buildings may collapse in the city, especailly in Old City where some houses over a century old. But Bhopal Municipal Corporation has miserably failed to check such incidents.
Updated on Aug 26, 2013 10:47 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Neeraj Santoshi, Bhopal
Opening MP's Pandora’s box
Raising various questions with regard to the timing of the crackdown and whether illegal mining of sand can be effectively checked given the porus borders of the mines which keep changing particularly in the rainy season when river tends to change its course often.
Updated on Aug 22, 2013 12:21 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Neeraj Santoshi