Hundreds of activists of Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) on Thursday blocked Yamuna Expressway and other key routes of Greater Noida demanding release of amount due to the sugarcane farmers of previous years.
As they continued with the protest, it led to a massive jam on the expressway, Noida-Greater Noida express highway and Pari Chowk area during peak hours. long queues of vehicles were witnessed everywhere.
Earlier, around 8 am, more than 400 BKU activists gathered in the area of Pari Chowk and jammed the traffic of the entire region. At the same time, nearly 100 activists blocked entry point of Yamuna Expressway and 200 BKU members came on road in Jewar region also. Apart from demanding “dues” of sugarcane growers, they also sought 64 per cent hike in compensation for farmers whose lands have been taken for the expressway. The blockade, organised under the banner BKU, was part of a State-wide protest called by the union in all districts of Uttar Pradesh.
The agitation of the farmers’ association witnessed long jam and the motorists face problems in approaching their destinations. Nishant, a commuter coming from Agra side, said that he reached zero point comfortably but it took four hours to travel between expressway and express highway for going towards national capital. The daily commuters and office goers also suffered due to traffic snarls on the roads. Police took lots of time to resume normal traffic and to disperse the move.
The BKU district president Ajay Pal Sharma said that sugarcane farmers have not got their dues from sugar mills. Two farmers have committed suicide. Several such farmers may take the extreme step of self-immolation if their dues are not paid. “At Greater Noida, we have included the demand of 64 per cent hiked compensation to Yamuna Expressway farmers. Though Noida and Greater Noida authorities have been giving the hiked compensation to farmers, Yamuna Expressway Authority claims that the court order was for Noida and Greater Noida farmers only and petitions of Yamuna Expressway farmers are pending with the court,” said Sharma.