Delhi Anticipates Traffic Turmoil as Farmers Converge at City Borders
In an updated traffic alert issued on Monday evening, the Delhi Police cautioned travelers that traffic diversions “might be necessary at the Singhu, Ghazipur, and Tikri borders.”
Increased security measures implemented for a march of farmers from Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh to the Capital were anticipated to cause traffic disruptions in the National Capital Region on Tuesday, as the Delhi Police have imposed prohibitory orders to limit movement and public gatherings.
On Tuesday afternoon, the farmers intended to gather at the Singhu, Tikri, and Ghazipur border points of the Capital. In anticipation of the march, lines of metal barricades, shipping containers, concertina wires, and trenches have been positioned on the outskirts of Delhi. Following their meeting with Union ministers, farm leaders affirmed that the protest would persist beyond midnight.
It was anticipated that the traffic congestion would extend to major routes throughout the city, particularly its outer, eastern, central, northern, and southern areas. In an updated traffic advisory issued on Monday evening, the Delhi Police cautioned commuters that traffic diversions “might be necessary at Singhu, Ghazipur, and Tikri borders depending on prevailing conditions.”
A prior notice indicated that “traffic limitations and diversions would be enforced at Singhu, Tikri, and Ghazipur borders starting from February 12 for commercial vehicles and from February 13 for all vehicle categories.”
More than 50 Delhi Police and paramilitary units, equipped with tear gas launchers and shells, bulletproof vests, helmets, batons, and advanced weaponry, were stationed at the Singhu, Tikri, and Ghazipur borders. Additionally, drones were deployed along the outskirts of the city.
Multi-layered blockades consisting of iron barricades, jersey barriers, shipping containers, barbed wire fencing, iron nails, hydra cranes, buses, and various other vehicles have been set up at the borders to prevent protesting farmers from entering Delhi.
A citywide alert has been issued to all police stations, instructing police personnel to increase the frequency of police pickets, patrols, and vehicle inspections.
On Monday, check-posts were established by the police in central Delhi. Vehicles underwent inspections at various locations including the Ranjit Singh flyover, Mandi House, ITO, Minto Bridge, Mathura Road, and Ring Road.
The preparations were implemented following a deadlock in talks in Punjab between Union ministers, including Piyush Goyal and Arjun Munda, and the leaders of the protesting farmer organizations. The initial meeting between the two parties on February 8 also concluded without resolution.
While authorities in Haryana and Punjab reinforced the borders of their respective states with concrete blocks, iron nails, and barbed wire to deter the planned march, farmer leaders alleged that the government was attempting to delay the situation.
Restrictions have been imposed by the Haryana government in 15 districts, forbidding gatherings of five or more individuals and prohibiting any demonstrations or processions involving tractor-trolleys.
On Monday, farmers associated with 200 organizations and unions began their journey towards Delhi aboard trucks and tractors, disregarding restrictions. Certain demonstrators forcefully removed barricades with their vehicles, leading authorities to mobilize paramilitary and police forces to deter the farmers from advancing towards Delhi.
Munda stated that the government is still willing to engage in discussions with the farmers. “We are optimistic about achieving a prompt resolution,” Munda remarked following the meeting with farmer representatives. “We proposed the formation of a committee to address all outstanding matters.”
Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher, present at the meeting, expressed doubt regarding the government’s commitment to addressing their demands, stating that the announcement of the march towards the Capital at 10 am on Tuesday indicated the government’s lack of seriousness. He mentioned that the government still has time to invite them for further discussions before that scheduled time.
The farmers are demanding minimum support prices for their crops, forgiveness of farm loans, employment opportunities for the families of individuals who lost their lives during the 13-month-long farmers’ protest spanning from November 2020 to December 2021. Additionally, they are calling for compensation for those farmers injured in Lakhimpur Kheri and the dismissal of charges filed against protesting farmers.
In October 2021, four protesting farmers were fatally struck down in Lakhimpur Kheri. Ashish Mishra, the son of Union minister Ajay Kumar Mishra Teni, is the primary suspect in the incident.
On Monday, the Delhi Police announced an extension of restrictions on movement and public gatherings throughout the national capital for a period of one month. Previously, these prohibitory orders were limited to the east, northeast, outer-north, and outer police districts.
During the 2020-21 period, farmers organized one of the largest protests in decades, leading the government to revoke three agricultural reform laws that had been passed in September 2020.
For almost 14 months, tens of thousands of farmers who were against the laws camped out on highways in various states. They essentially established protest communities at five locations, including Ghazipur, Singhu, and Tikri, causing traffic congestion and rejecting the government’s assertion that the laws would enhance their market access. Farm unions maintained that the laws would subject farmers to the dominance of corporations.
Security forces have aimed to avoid a repeat of the protests by implementing preemptive measures to prevent protesters from entering the Capital. According to a police official, extensive security measures have been put in place at the main borders, considering the lessons learned from the farmers’ agitation.
In 2020, the farmers took control of the main roads leading to the three borders, and subsequently, on January 26, 2021, they breached the Red Fort.
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