He was 86 and ailing for sometime, his family said in a statement here.
Neelkant is survived by wife and three sons.
He had held senior positions, including that of Resident Editor of Times of India (Lucknow and Bangalore), Assistant editor Tribune, Chandigarh and News editor Indian Express at various centres including Chennai and Kochi.
He had also worked with The Age, Melbourne and Bangkok Post, Bangkok, the statement added.