Delhi-Noida Border Gridlock: Farmers’ Protest Causes Massive Traffic Jams
Monday morning brought significant travel disruptions for commuters crossing the Delhi-Noida border. The cause? Heightened security measures implemented by Delhi Police in anticipation of a farmers’ protest march towards the national capital. Multiple barricades were erected along key border points, creating extensive traffic jams that snaked for miles and significantly impacted commute times.
The police presence was substantial. A senior police officer confirmed that thorough checks were underway at all entry points, aided by drone surveillance to monitor the situation from above. Additional Commissioner of Police (east), Sagar Singh Kalsi, stated that “adequate arrangements” had been made, including deploying anti-riot equipment and utilizing drones for enhanced vigilance. Close coordination with Noida Police was also emphasized to ensure a unified response and, ideally, smoother traffic flow.
Joint Commissioner of Police (southern range), SK Jain, highlighted the importance of these measures. He explained that with Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in effect within New Delhi and Parliament in session, unauthorized protests were strictly prohibited. This led to an increased security posture at both the DND and Kalindi Kunj borders. The deployment of barricades, jersey barriers, and hydra cranes underscored the seriousness of the situation and the police’s determination to prevent any forceful attempts to breach the security perimeter. While the situation has since normalized, with traffic flowing again, the earlier congestion caused significant disruption.
The impact on commuters was substantial. Aprajita Singh, a Greater Noida resident, described the Chilla border as particularly problematic, with significant delays. She recounted spending approximately an hour navigating the congested area, hampered by the double layer of barricades established on both sides of the Delhi-Noida border, the worst congestion being on the Noida-to-Delhi stretch. Similarly, Amit Thakur, another commuter from Noida, opted for the metro to avoid the gridlock, illustrating the extent of the disruption. His pre-departure traffic check revealed significant delays near the Chilla border, potentially adding an extra hour to his journey, prompting a switch to public transport.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the ripple effects that large-scale security operations and protests can have on daily life, impacting commuters, businesses, and overall urban functionality. The meticulous police planning and extensive resource allocation are evident in their response, highlighting the challenges of balancing security needs with maintaining smooth traffic flow in a densely populated metropolitan area like Delhi-Noida.
