Farmers protesting against the new contentious farm laws have, after significant back-and-forth with the police, received permission from the Delhi Police to conduct a tractor rally on Republic Day.
The Delhi Police has reportedly said that the farmers can enter Delhi for a few kilometres and then exit at ‘designation spots’. Three routes have reportedly been assigned to farmers to carry out their tractor rally.
According to PTI, farmers' tractor rally is slated to begin amid tight security after the conclusion of Republic Day celebrations.
Further, NDTV quoted Delhi Police as saying: "Protesting farmers can enter Delhi but can't disturb the Republic Day parade.”
What Are the Three Routes?
The three routes emanate from the three borders where the protesting farmers have been camping for two cold months, and circle back to those borders.
According to what Special CP (Intelligence) Dependra Pathak told The Indian Express, the routes are as follows:
ROUTE FOR FARMERS FROM SINGHU BORDER
- The total distance farmers on this route can cover is approximately 62 km.
- Protesting farmers will pass through Sanjay Gandhi Transport Nagar, Kanjawala, Bawana, Auchandi Border and KMP Expressway.
- Return to Singhu border
ROUTE FOR FARMERS FROM TIKRI
- The total distance farmers on this route can cover is approximately 64 km.
- Protesting farmers will pass through Nangloi, Najafgarh, Jharoda and KMP Expressway.
- Return to Tikri.
ROUTE FOR FARMERS FROM GHAZIPUR BORDER
- The total distance farmers on this route can cover is approximately 46 km.
- Protesting farmers will pass through the 56-foot road, Apsara border, Hapur road and reach KGP Expressway (Eastern Peripheral Expressway).
- Return to Ghazipur border
Which Routes Should Be Avoided?
“Please avoid NH 44, GTK road, outer ring road, Signature Bridge, GT road, ISBT ring road, Vikas Marg, ITO, NH 24, Nizammudin Khatta, Noida link road, Peeragarhi & Outer Delhi, East & West Delhi border areas due to ongoing farmer protests,” tweeted Delhi Traffic Police on Tuesday afternoon.
There will be some diversion of routes due to the tractor rally, the Delhi Police said.
Traffic of NH-44 will be diverted at Singhu Sani Mandir, Ashok farm, Sundarpur, Mukarba Chowk, the cops added.
“We advise general public to avoid NH10, Rohtak Road, Tikri border, Nangloi, Najafgarh Road and Najafgarh-Jharoda border,” Meenu Chaudhary, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic Operations), told reporters ahead of Republic Day.
- No commercial vehicles and buses will be allowed on NH-24 and DND from Ring Road. Traffic on NH-24 from Nizamuddin Khatta side will be diverted on Pusta road near Akshardham and Mother Dairy Road.
- No traffic will be allowed towards NH-24 from paper market near Nala cut and Kondli Light point.
- No traffic towards Road No. 56 from Hasanpur Depot, Patparganj Industrial Area, Ashoka Niketan, Vivekanand Mahila College, ITI College, Ram Mandir Vivek Vihar etc.
- No traffic towards Apsara Border from R/A Seemapuri Gol Chakkar, Chintamani. Commuters are advised to use Khajuri Pusta Road, Loni Road for U.P.
- Traffic going towards NH-44 GTK Road will be diverted from Singhu Shani Mandir, Ashok Farm/ Janti Tall, Hamidpur, Sunderpur Majra, Zindopur Mukhmelpur, Kadipur, Kushak Colony, Mukarba Chowk, GTK Depot.
- Traffic going towards Bawana Road will be diverted from Jail Road, KNK Marge, G3S Mall, Madhuban Chowk, Rohini East Metro Station, Rithala Chowk, Pansali Chowk, Helipad T-Point, Utsav Road, DSIIDC Road Sector-4, NarelaBawana Road, Chitra Dharam Kanta, DSIIDC Round about, Jhanda Chowk.
- Traffic going towards Kanjhawala Road will be diverted from Karala, Kanjhawala Village, Jaunti Toll, Qutubgarh- Garhi Road
Delhi Metro Schedule
Delhi Metro services will be partially regulated at certain stations on 26 January, for the Republic Day ceremony. This decision has been taken to maintain security on Tuesday.
- Entry gates of Rohini Sector 18, Vidhan Sabha, Model Town, Uttam Nagar East, Inderlok, Samaypur Badli, Azadpur and Kashmere Gate are closed.
- Entry gates of Indraprashtha are open. Entry/exit has been permitted through one gate in the following stations: Samaypur Badli, Rohini Sector 19, Haiderpur Badli Mor, Jahangir Puri, Adarsh Nagar, GTB Nagar, Vishwavidyalaya and Civil Lines.
- Changes are made on Line 2 (HUDA City Centre - Samaypur Badli)
- Entry and exit at Central Secretariat and Udyog Bhawan Metro stations will remain closed from start of revenue services till 12 pm.
- Central Secretariat station will only be used for interchange of passengers between Line 2 and Line 6.
- Entry and exit at Patel Chowk and Lok Kalyan Marg Metro stations will remain closed from 8.45 am to 12 pm.
The notice by Delhi Metro further said, “All Metro parking lots will also remain closed from 6 am on 25 January to 2 pm on 26 January 2021. This step has also been taken as part of the security arrangements.”
BKU Ugrahan Not Happy With the Routes
One of the farmer organisations, BKU Ugrahan has expressed unhappiness with the routes assigned.
According to The Indian Express, Shingara Singh, vice-president of BKU Ugrahan said:
“The route plan from Tikri border does not suit every organisation… The suggested route says the tractor march should move from Tikri to Nangloi but we cannot reach Nangloi as pandals of other organisations come in our way… We will be meeting police authorities of Delhi, UP and Haryana on Monday at 8.30 am.”
Traffic Advisory
According to Hindustan Times (HT), Haryana authorities have issued a travel advisory, ahead of the tractor rally, cautioning against unnecessary travel towards Delhi ‘over the next couple of days’.
Further HT reported, disruptions in vehicular movement on the National Highway from Karnal and Rohtak towards Delhi during 25-27 January are said to be expected.
HT also quoted Haryana Police as saying: “Traffic on KMP-KGP Expressway will also be impacted and interchanges at Kundli, Assaudha and Badli will not be accessible to traffic movement on these dates.”
Keeping in mind the traditional Republic Day parade and celebrations in the capital, organised by the Government of India, the Delhi Police on Sunday, according to ANI, issued a traffic advisory.
"There would be elaborate traffic arrangements and restrictions in place for smooth conduct of the parade and tableaux, along with respective routes,” the Delhi Police had said.
Other Details
Farmers have also made their own security arrangements. Further, unions have issued instructions to all protesting farmers, which include that they should pack 24-hours worth ration and water, and make arrangements for protection from cold in case they are stuck in traffic jams.
They have also, among other things, advised all farmers to ignore rumours and have said: “If you want to check something or verify something, then have a look on the Facebook Page of Kisan Ekta Morcha to verify the truth.”
“Through this parade we have to tell the country and the world about our plight… Our victory lies in the parade being taken out in a very peaceful manner… Our aim is not to conquer Delhi, but to win over the hearts of the people of this county.”Farmer Unions, in their instructions
(With inputs from The Indian Express, HT, NDTV and ANI.)
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