Farmers on Thursday took out a tractor rally at the Delhi borders to protest against the three new farm laws. This rally is a rehearsal for a massive rally that has been planned for January 26 if their demands are not met.
The rally, called by some 40 farmer unions, will run on the Western Peripheral Expressway that starts at Ghaziabad and ends in Palwal. The police have asked people to avoid the expressway.
Police in Gautam Buddh Nagar said they will enforce diversions on the Kundli-Ghaziabad-Palwal or Eastern Peripheral Expressway. “In view of this, vehicles will not be allowed to get on the eastern peripheral expressway from Beel Akbarpur and Sirsa cut towards Palwal from 12 pm to 3 pm. Similarly, vehicles won’t be allowed on the expressway from Sirsa cut and Beel Akbarpur towards Sonipat from 2 pm to 5 pm and will be diverted,” police said in a statement.
Also read: Farmers’ Protest LIVE Updates: Farmers Hold Tractor Rally At Several Delhi Border Points, Security Beefed Up At Key Toll Plazas
National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officials also said the tractor march will affect traffic on both eastern and western peripheral expressways. “Tractors are not allowed on eastern periphery expressway and there will be traffic disruption if they carry out a march. We will speak to the district officials about the issue,” said Mudit Garg, project director of NHAI.
#Farmers protesting against the three #farmlaws hold tractor rally at #Burari in #Delhi pic.twitter.com/1OTBdMIYyf
— NewsMobile (@NewsMobileIndia) January 7, 2021
Singhu, Auchandi, Piau Maniyari, Saboli, and Mangesh borders are shut for traffic due to the rally. “Please take an alternate route via Lampur Safiabad, Palla, and Singhu school toll tax borders. Traffic has been diverted from Mukarba and GTK road. Please avoid Outer Ring Road, GTK Road, and NH-44,” the traffic police tweeted.
#WATCH #TractorRally by #farmers at #Haryana‘s Palwal; farmers protesting at Palwal are heading towards #Singhuborder pic.twitter.com/Ah5yaF9qae
— NewsMobile (@NewsMobileIndia) January 7, 2021
Next round of talks between the farmers and the Centre has been fixed for January 8 after the two parties failed to arrive at a consensus during the seventh round of talks held on January 4.