New Delhi, (Samajweekly) As the farmers agitation entered its eight day on Thursday with farmers and the government holding talks, commuters were left stranded as the Delhi Traffic police decided to close multiple entry-points towards Delhi from Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.
With massive build up of farmers, the Singhu, Lampur, Auchandi, Safiabad, Piao Maniyari, and Saboli borders were closed. NH-44 is also closed on both sides. The Tikri, Jharoda Borders were also closed for any traffic movement on Thursday.
However, the Badusarai border is open only for Light Motor Vehicles like cars and two wheelers. The Jhatikara Border is open only for two wheeler traffic.
“Please take alternate routes via NH-8/Bhopra /Apsara border /Peripheral expressway.Traffic has been diverted from Mukarba & GTK Road. Avoid Outer Ring Road , GTK Road, NH-44,” Delhi Traffic police tweeted.
“Meanwhile the available open borders to Haryana are Dhansa, Daurala, Kapashera, Rajokri NH 8, Bijwasan/Bajghera, Palam Vihar and Dundahera Borders,” said a senior Traffic police officer.
One carriageway of NH 24 for UP to Delhi is closed for traffic at Ghazipur border. Likewise the carriageway from Noida to Delhi at Chilla border is closed for traffic .
“People may use Apsara border on GT Road, the Bhopura border on Wazirabad road and DND flyover for Delhi from UP side,” the Delhi Traffic police advised.
Massive traffic snarls were seen at Delhi-Noida border and Delhi-Ghaziabad border as many commuetrs were caught unaware on Thursday. The Delhi Traffic Police closed the NH-9 and NH-24 from Ghaziabad to Delhi routes on Thursday morning to stop more farmers joining the agitation and entering Delhi from these routes.
Many small routes were also closed by Delhi Police so that more protesters are not able to sneak into the capital.
“I have to postpone my visit to Delhi from Aligarh as there was reports of massive traffic jams, some of my known are also caught up in the serpentine jams from Uttar Pradesh to Delhi,” said Akmal Mirza, a Delhi resident.
The Ghaziabad to Delhi traffic was blocked at Delhi-Meerut Expressway, exceptions were being made for medical emergencies by the protesters.
The Delhi Traffic police also publicised its telephone numbers on social media for commuters to avoid being caught in traffic snarls.
“You are requested to contact Delhi Traffic Police Helpline at 25844444 or 1095 so that we can assist you better,” the Delhi Traffic police tweeted.