New Delhi:
With thousands of farmers protesting against the Centre’s new agri laws staying put at Delhi borders, several routes in the national capital remained off bounds for commuters on Friday.
The Delhi Traffic Police took to Twitter to inform people about road closures and advised them to take alternative routes to avoid inconvenience.
Farmers from different states have been camping at Delhi’s Singhu, Tikri, Ghazipur and Chilla (Delhi-Noida) border points for nearly two weeks now to demand a repeal of the farm laws enacted in September.
In a series of tweets, the Delhi Traffic Police said Tikri and Dhansa borders are closed for traffic movement, while Jhatikara border is open only for two-wheelers and pedestrians.
Those travelling to neighbouring Haryana can take routes via Jharoda (only single carriageway), Daurala, Kapashera, Badusarai, Rajokri NH 8, Bijwasan/Bajghera, Palam Vihar and Dundahera borders, the police said.
On Thursday, farmer unions threatened to block railway tracks across the country and all highways leading to Delhi if their demands are not met.
The announcement came a day after farmers’ leaders rejected the government’s offer to amend the new agri laws and give a “written assurance” on continuing the Minimum Support Price (MSP) system.
Farmers worry these laws will eliminate the safety net of MSP and do away with mandis that ensure earning. But the government says the MSP system will continue and the new laws will give farmers more options to sell their crop.
