Delhi Police has issued a traffic advisory indicating significant disruptions on routes connecting Delhi to Noida due to ongoing protests by factory workers advocating for higher wages. The protest has led to the complete blockage of Noida Link Road at the Chilla Border, severely impacting traffic movement towards Noida from this entry point. Commuters are advised to alter their travel plans and consider using the DND Flyway from Sarai Kale Khan or NH-24 via the Kondli bridge as alternative routes to Noida.
The advisory was communicated through X, the social media platform, informing the public of the congestion caused by the agitation. The police have recommended avoiding the affected routes, particularly the Noida Link Road, due to the heavy traffic congestion.
Ongoing Worker Agitation
The protests underscore the continued discontent among workers, even after the Noida administration provided assurances regarding wage increases and labor reforms. Officials have claimed that they have initiated measures such as offering double overtime pay, mandatory weekly offs, and strict adherence to salary timelines. However, protesting workers have expressed their determination to continue the agitation until they receive written confirmations of these commitments.
A protestor stated to NDTV, “We earn so little, around Rs 14,000 a month for eight-hour work. We want the state government to implement measures consistent with what the central government has put in place.” Another protestor stressed the lack of a formal written assurance from the government regarding their demands.
Impact on Commuters
Many commuters faced significant delays throughout Monday morning as traffic came to a standstill at the Delhi-Noida border due to the protests. The agitation, ongoing for three days, has intensified, with thousands of factory workers blocking essential routes, leading to severe disruptions during peak office hours.
Long queues of vehicles extended several kilometers along routes linking Delhi and Noida, including National Highway 9, leaving many commuters stranded for hours. A police source revealed that members of a labor union from Uttar Pradesh had gathered at the border, obstructing parts of the roadway and hindering traffic flow.
Despite the deployment of personnel from both the Delhi and Noida police to manage the situation and redirect traffic, the sheer volume of vehicles exacerbated the chaos, leading to prolonged waiting times for commuters.
Public Frustration and Escalating Tensions
Frustrated commuters took to social media to describe the situation as “unmanageable” and called on authorities to intervene. One office worker noted that she left her home at 7:30 AM yet remained stuck in traffic for over an hour without any movement.
Additionally, the situation became volatile in certain areas of Noida, particularly in Sector 1, Block 84, where reports surfaced of protesters setting vehicles on fire, with at least two vehicles being consumed by flames.
Government Response
This unrest occurred even after assurances were made by the district administration a day earlier, which included announcements of new measures such as guaranteeing double pay for overtime, mandated weekly days off, and enforced timelines for salary payments. Medha Roopam, the District Magistrate of Gautam Buddha Nagar, stated that companies have been instructed to disburse wages by the 10th of each month, issue salary slips, and ensure that any unauthorized deductions will meet punitive consequences.
Authorities have indicated that efforts are ongoing to alleviate congestion and restore normal traffic conditions in the affected areas.
