On Thursday, Noida Expressway witnessed heavy traffic jams amid farmers’ protest as traffic police placed barricades on the road. The farmers from more than 140 villages from Noida and Greater Noida are marching from Noida to Parliament House and were all set to stage their protest outside Parliament.
Traffic Jam at Noida Expressway
Delhi Police blocked two out of three lanes, only one lane was open for vehicles to move towards Mayur Vihar. They also barricaded roads with trucks and cranes near Dalit Prerna Sthal which caused heavy traffic jams on the Noida- Delhi side. Kalindi Kunj also witnessed traffic while traffic was normal on the DND flyway.
At Chilla Border, Delhi Police have deployed water canons and personnel to prevent farmers from entering Delhi. To avoid more traffic Noida traffic police have suggested people use internal roads and avoid Noida Expressway for commuting.
Noida DCP Vidhya Sagar Mishra said, “We have spoken to the leaders of farmer organizations. A proposal to create a high-power committee was given. The farmer leaders have agreed to it. Today’s program (of the march) has ended, we are trying to make the traffic movement normal, and extra police force has been deployed for it.”
Government’s Response
As per NDTV, government representatives, three Ministers, Junior Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, and Junior Home Minister Nityanand Rai will meet the farmer’s representatives.
Farmer’s Protest in UP
Currently, four protests are going on in the Gautam Buddha Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh by different Farmer’s organizations and representatives.
Jai Jawan Jai Kisan organization is heading a protest against Ansal builders, All India Kisan Sabha against Greater Noida Authority, and Bharatiya Kisan Parishad against National Thermal Power Corporation and Noida Authority at Sector 24 and Sector 6, respectively.
Why Farmers are Protesting?
Three farmer’s unions are protesting to resolve their issue related to land acquisition.
Farmers were given only 10 percent of residential plots for their families on developed land as compensation for their land acquired by authorities for different projects. Farmers argued that is making them landless and leaving nothing for their families and future generations after land acquisition by authorities.
Noida Authority grants the farmers 5 percent of the total acquired land, Greater Noida Authority gives 6 percent and Yamuna Authority gives 7 percent as compensation, which farmers called insufficient for them.
Farmers are demanding additional monetary compensation, based on market rates, for land acquired by authorities for different projects many years ago. Farmers allege that they were given a very cheap rate for land and are still facing consequences. They are also demanding jobs and medical facilities for their families.
“The UP government is not addressing our demand for 10% of total land acquired for residential purposes, 64.7% hiked land compensation, permission for commercial activities on residential plots and other benefits,” Bharatiya Kisan Ekta Sangh leader Sukhbir Yadav said.
