Farmer protest throws traffic off gear in National Capital

Traffic across the city was hit on Thursday as thousands of farmers from different parts of the country reached the national capital to get their plight heard. The farmers began their march towards Ramlila Maidan as a part of a massive kisan rally planned in the city.

The farmers arrived at Anand Vihar railway station early on Thursday morning where they were welcomed by members of the Left-backed students' outfit AISA. Farmers also reached Bijwasan in southwest Delhi and began their march towards Ramlila Maidan thereon, which affected traffic on Bijwasan and Dwarka Link Road.

Delhi Traffic Police issued an advisory in the morning, asking commuters to avoid the stretch. Traffic police had said in the morning that traffic may be affected during peak hours in the evening on Dhaula Kuan, Sardar Patel Marg, Mother Teresa crescent, CP outer circle, and Minto Road, due to the farmers' march. "Anand Vihar, Vikas Marg, Rajghat, and Jawaharlal Nehru Marg are also likely to remain affected during the evening peak hours," the advisory read.

As more and more farmers entered Delhi from different border areas, traffic slowed down at various spots in the evening, bringing the city to a virtual halt.

Farmer leaders said they were expecting as many as one lakh farmers by evening. On Friday, they will march from Ramlila Maidan to Parliament.

Heavy traffic movement was reported on Vandemataram Marg due to Akhil Bhartiya Kisan Sangharsh Samanvay Samiti's march. Vehicular movement also slowed down at Dhaula Kuan as the farmers entered from National Highway 8. The police also advised commuters to avoid the Kadkadi Mod-Geeta Colony-Yamuna Flyover-Rajghat-Jawahar Lal Nehru Marg as a procession of around 700-800 farmers were expected to pass by the area in the evening.

AISA SUPPORT

• On Thursday morning, farmers arrived at Anand Vihar railway station where they were welcomed by members of Left-backed students’ outfit AISA 
   
• Farmers also reached Bijwasan in southwest Delhi and began their march towards Ramlila Maidan