Massive congestion at Delhi-Noida border as police set up barricades ahead of farmers' march

New Delhi: Protesting farmers on Monday started march towards Delhi pressing for fulfillment of various demands, including a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP). The march led to huge traffic jam in Noida.

Farmers, under the aegis of Bhartiya Kisan Parishad and other groups gathered at Maha Maya flyover, Noida to begin their march to Delhi demanding compensation and benefits related to agricultural reforms.

Massive traffic snarls caused inconvenience to commuters crossing the Delhi-Noida border as police set up multiple barricades in view of the protest.

The police are busy conducting stringent checks at all borders, with barriers set up to monitor the flow of traffic. To prevent bottlenecks and ensure safety, traffic diversions and restrictions have been put in place.

The Bhartiya Kisan Parishad (BKP), along with Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) and other farmer organisations had earlier announced about the march.

"We have been assured that our problems will be resolved after holding Secretary-level talks. Till then, we will camp at Dalit Prerna Sthal at Noida. We will not move forward, but we will also not go back," said Bharatiya Kisan Parishad leader Sukhbir Khalifa.

Earlier in October, Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (KMSC) General Secretary Sarwan Singh Pandhair had also announced that the farmers sitting in protest at the Shambhu border (Punjab-Haryana border) would march towards Delhi to press their demands.

The farmers plan to move towards the national capital in batches from the Shambhu border on the Ambala-New Delhi national highway. The first group began its march from under the Maha Maya flyover in Noida at noon on December 2.

The protesting farmers accused the Centre of not taking steps to address their demands, claiming that it has not held any talks with them since February 18.