Major traffic jams at Delhi-Noida Chilla border ahead of farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' march today

Heavy traffic snarls was witnessed along Delhi-Noida Chilla border, ahead of the farmers' march to Delhi on February 13, Tuesday.

Delhi Police have implemented Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code in North-East Delhi and along the Uttar Pradesh borders. This is to prevent any potential incidents and uphold law and order.

Section 144 has also been imposed in Shahadara and Gandhi Nagar areas of Delhi, effectively banning large gatherings until March 11. This follows the 'Delhi Chalo' march organized by around 200 farmers' unions, advocating for demands such as a dedicated law for Minimum Support Price (MSP) for agricultural produce and withdrawal of cases filed against them during previous protests.

Iron nails, barbed wires, barricades, and concrete slabs have been set up on Delhi borders, turning the capital into a fortress ahead of the 'Chalo Dilli' march on Tuesday.

In response to the farmers' associations' call for agitation, Delhi Police have invoked Section 144 for 30 days until March 12. Extensive security arrangements are in place in Delhi and its borders to prevent any illegal gatherings between February 13 and 15, and in the lead-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha election.

The Delhi Police had taken stringent measures to manage the situation by erecting barricades and intensifying vehicle checks at key border points such as the Chilla, DND Flyway, and Kalindi Kunj borders. This led to heavy traffic build-up, with only a few vehicles being allowed to pass at a time. To mitigate the impact on commuters, the Noida traffic police issued advisories suggesting alternative routes and urged people to use the Metro to travel to Delhi.

The traffic disruptions and the farmers' determination to have their voices heard underscored the ongoing struggle between the agricultural community and the authorities, with the former seeking to assert their rights and the latter attempting to maintain order amidst the mobilization.

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