New Delhi | Thousands of commuters faced a harrowing time on Monday as violent protests by factory workers in Noida brought traffic to a standstill at Delhi's border with the neighbouring town.
The protests led to congestion on key arterial roads connecting Delhi and Noida, including National Highway 9, leaving commuters stranded during the peak rush hour. Queues of vehicles stretched for several kilometres.
Security was tightened along Delhi's key entry points.
According to officials, a large number of workers from various industrial units gathered in the morning to press their long-pending demand for salary revision and raised slogans during the demonstration.
The protests soon spiralled into violence, with some protesters vandalising property, pelting stones and setting vehicles on fire.
A Delhi Police officer said members of the labour union from Uttar Pradesh gathered near the border area to stage a demonstration. They blocked portions of the road, halting traffic movement.
"Delhi Police and Noida Police personnel were deployed to manage the situation and divert traffic, but the heavy volume of vehicles compounded the chaos," the officer said.
Frustrated commuters took to X to share their ordeals and urge authorities to intervene.
An X user, who works with a private company, said she left her home around 7:30 am and had been stuck in traffic for over an hour without any significant movement.
"There is no movement at all. People are getting down from vehicles and trying to figure out what's happening ahead," she said.
Another person said, "Due to heavy traffic jam in Delhi caused by a protest/dharna, passengers who need to reach different railway stations in Delhi facing difficulty reaching the stations. Kindly consider delaying the train by 15 minutes." "My vehicle (has) not moved even (a) single inch from last 1 hour. Neither the Delhi Traffic Police, not the UP Traffic Police made any diversions to ease the congestion," said another distressed commuter on X.
Delhi Traffic Police also took to X to inform commuters about the blockade.
"Traffic at Noida severely affected due to on going agitation by the workers from private factories. They have completely blocked Noida Link Road coming from Chilla Border (Delhi). Traffic movement towards Noida from the Chilla Border is severely affected," it said in a statement.
People are hereby advised to plan their journey accordingly and use DND for travelling to Noida. Those intending to go to Noida may use DND from Sarai Kale Khan or alternatively use NH 24 - Kondli Bridge and enter Noida through Noida Mod, it added.
Authorities said efforts were underway to clear the congestion and restore smooth traffic flow as soon as possible.
Delhi Police officials said the force is on high alert.
According to police, several teams have been deployed at all motorable roads connecting Noida to different parts of Delhi, particularly at major border points with Uttar Pradesh, to prevent any spillover of the unrest.
Senior officers said that strict vigil is being maintained and thorough checking of vehicles is being carried out to ensure that no anti-social elements enter the city under the guise of the protest.
"Delhi Police is fully alert and vigilant. Adequate force has been deployed at all strategic locations. No one will be allowed to breach law and order," a senior police officer said.
Barricading has been intensified at key border points and additional personnel, including rapid response teams and paramilitary forces, have been stationed to respond swiftly to any untoward incident.
Police officers said they are monitoring the situation and are in touch with their Uttar Pradesh counterparts.
In addition, security has also been intensified along the Haryana border to prevent any possible movement of protesters into Delhi from that side, with enhanced checking and deployment at key entry points.
"We have deployed pickets, barricades and our traffic police are making proper diversions for those who are entering Delhi for work purposes. Teams are keeping a strict vigil," another police officer said.