Following the ongoing farmers' agitation against the Centre's new farm laws, traffic was affected on key roads in Delhi on Saturday as police kept the Singhu and Tikri borders closed. While, traffic was also seen moving in snarl speed at Ghazipur (UP Gate) border after farmers from Uttar Pradesh (UP) gathered at the border to mark their protest.
“Tikri border is closed for traffic movement. Available open borders to Haryana are -- Jharoda, Dhansa, Daurala Jhatikara, Badusari, Kapashera, Rajokri NH 8, Bijwasan/Bajghera, Palam vihar and Dundahera border,” said the Delhi Traffic Police on its Twitter.
The traffic police said the Singhu border was still closed from both the sides. “Please take an alternate route. Traffic has been diverted from Mukarba Chowk & GTK road. Traffic is very very heavy. Please avoid outer ring road from Signature Bridge to Rohini and vice versa, GTK road, NH 44 & Singhu border,” it tweeted.
“Traffic movement is closed on Bhairon Road due to agitation of farmers. Motorists who wants to go from Bhairon Road towards New Delhi are advised to use Barapullah,” Delhi Traffic Police tweeted.
“We appeal to commuters to avoid travelling towards the Singhu and Tikri borders, Mukarba Chowk, NH-44, GT-Karnal Road and Outer Ring Road,” said Meenu Chaudhary, the Joint Commissioner of Police, Traffic adding that following Saturday being a holiday for most office goers, the traffic situation in other parts is better than Friday.
On Friday, the Delhi Police curtailed movement at several places, including Dhansa, Jharoda Kalan, Tikri, Gurgaon, Singhu and Chilla, to prevent the protesting farmers from entering Delhi. Sections of Outer Ring Road, Mukarba Chowk, GT Karnal Road, NH-44 were also closed.
The restrictions led to chaos and confusion among commuters who remained on roads stuck for hours.
But some of the chaos eased out later in the day after police allowed the farmers to enter the national capital. Farmers, representing over 30 farm bodies, had called a 'Delhi Chalo' March through several routes -- Lalru, Shambhu, Patiala-Pehowa, Patran-Khanauri, Moonak-Tohana, Ratia-Fatehabad and Talwandi-Sirsa.