New Delhi: Under the banner of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), farmers have intensified their protests, demanding implementation of their long-pending issues. On Monday, thousands of farmers will march from Noida’s Mahamaya Flyover to Delhi, pressing for fair compensation akin to Gorakhpur’s fourfold model, benefits under the Land Acquisition Act, and allocation of 10% developed plots.
Farmers had previously staged a four-day sit-in outside the Yamuna Authority office but felt their demands were ignored. They are now preparing to stage a major protest by marching to Parliament in Delhi.
Demands of the farmers
– Fair compensation: Farmers in Gautam Buddha Nagar claim they are being denied compensation on par with the Gorakhpur highway project.
– Land acquisition benefits: Full implementation of the Land Acquisition Act and recommendations of the High-Powered Committee.
– Updated circle rates: No revision in circle rates has been made for over a decade.
Anticipating disruptions, Noida Police have enforced a special route diversion plan. Heavy vehicles are restricted on the Yamuna Expressway and the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway. Traffic has also been halted on routes from Sirsa through Pari Chowk to Surajpur. Commuters are advised to use alternate routes to avoid inconvenience.
Major traffic diversions
- Vehicles from Chilla Border to Greater Noida will be routed via Sector 14A flyover, Sector 15, and Jhundpura.
- Traffic from DND to Delhi will pass through Film City Flyover and Sector 18 via elevated roads.
- Vehicles from Kalindi Border to Delhi will divert through Mahamaya Flyover and Sector 37.
- Greater Noida to Delhi traffic will take routes via Charkha Roundabout to Kalindi Kunj or Hajipur Underpass.
Apart from the UP farmers’ march to Delhi, farmers from Punjab and Haryana are also planning to join the protest. On December 6, the first group will set out from Shambhu and Khanauri borders towards Delhi. Additionally, farmers in Kerala, Uttarakhand, and Tamil Nadu will march to their respective state assemblies.
Their demands include:
- Waiver of farm loans
- Pension for farmers
- Withdrawal of increased electricity tariffs
- Justice for Lakhimpur Kheri violence victims
- Compensation for families of farmers who lost their lives during the 2020–21 protests
In anticipation of the protest, several schools in Noida have shifted to online classes. Commuters travelling between Gautam Buddha Nagar and Delhi are encouraged to rely on metro services to minimise traffic-related delays.
