Traffic snarls hit commuters hard on Delhi-Noida border

The protest began in the morning near the Mahamaya flyover in Noida, where farmers from across 20 districts, including Gautam Buddh Nagar, Agra, Aligarh, and Bulandshahr, assembled before marching towards Delhi.

The protest call was given by the Bharatiya Kisan Parishad (BKP) and supported by Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) and Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM).

A commuter Prakash who was travelling from Delhi towards Noida said, “Due to barricading and traffic diversions, nearby areas are facing heavy traffic congestion. It took more than half-an-hour to cross from Mayur Vihar Extension Metro Station to reach Noida.”

Heavy traffic congestion

The farmers’ protest began on Monday morning near the Mahamaya flyover in Noida, where farmers from across 20 districts, including Gautam Buddh Nagar, Agra, Aligarh, and Bulandshahr, assembled before marching towards Delhi

Heavy traffic congestion was witnessed at Noida-Greater Noida Expressway, Botanical Garden, Sector 16 and 18

In the evening after the protests quelled, police removed barricades and the protestors began a sit-in at the Dalit Prerna Sthal on the Noida Link Road near Sector 18

Farmers began their march from Greater Noida’s Pari Chowk at 10 am, reaching Mahamaya flyover by noon. To prevent their entry into Delhi, police put up barricades at several points, including Charkha Chowk, Mahamaya flyover, and Dalit Prerna Sthal, where vehicles were thoroughly inspected.

Heavy traffic congestion was witnessed at Noida-Greater Noida Expressway, Botanical Garden, Sector 16 and 18.

Meanwhile, at Chilla border, barricades were put on both sides of the roads, a motorist said, “It took an hour to clear the 500-metre stretch.” Traffic was seen moving at a ridiculously slow pace on both sides of the border with many commuters unaware about the traffic arrangements.

Meanwhile, Gautam Buddha Nagar Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Shivhari Meena said, “The farmers had announced the 'Delhi Challo' march today and we were continuously holding talks with them. The farmers have told their demands to the officials and officials have given them an assurance. The traffic has returned to normalcy”.

In the evening after the protests quelled, police removed barricades and the protestors began a sit-in at the Dalit Prerna Sthal on the Noida Link Road near Sector 18.

“We have come with a tough spirit and a lot of passion and dedication for the rights of our annadatas. Farmers are being exploited, but it will not happen anymore. We will ensure they are given 10% plots... We have been assured that our problems will be resolved after holding secretary-level talks. Till then, we will camp at Dalit Prerna Sthal. We will not move forward, but we will also not go back...” said BKP farm leader Sukhbir Khalifa.