The national capital is bracing for a massive farmers’ march on Monday, organized by the Bhartiya Kisan Parishad (BKP). Thousands of farmers from 20 districts are set to march towards the Parliament complex to voice their grievances on compensation, land acquisition, and rehabilitation issues. Heightened security and special traffic arrangements are in place across Delhi-NCR to manage the protest.
Farmers’ Key Demands
BKP leader Sukhbir Khalifa outlined the protest’s agenda, emphasizing five critical demands aimed at safeguarding farmers’ rights:
- Enhanced Compensation: Farmers demand 64.7% more compensation under the old land acquisition law and four times the market rate for land acquired post-January 1, 2014.
- Plot Allocation: Protesters seek 10% plot allocation under the old law and 20% for land acquired after the specified date.
- Rehabilitation Benefits: Employment and rehabilitation opportunities for the children of landless farmers top the agenda.
- Implementation of High Power Committee Orders: Farmers demand immediate action on the recommendations of the High Power Committee.
- Settlement of Populated Areas: Proper rehabilitation and settlement of areas impacted by land acquisition are being demanded.
Protest Route and Participation
The march will commence at 12 PM from the Mahamaya flyover in Noida, with participants traveling on foot and by tractor towards the Parliament. Farmers from districts such as Gautam Buddha Nagar, Bulandshahr, Agra, and Aligarh are expected to join in large numbers.
Security Measures in Place
Delhi-NCR is witnessing an unprecedented deployment of security personnel. Barriers and checkpoints have been set up at major entry points, including Chilla and DND flyovers, to prevent disruptions. Police Commissioner Shivhari Meena confirmed that additional forces would be stationed along the protest route, particularly on the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway and other vulnerable locations.
Traffic Diversions
Commuters have been advised to plan their travel as traffic diversions are expected to cause delays:
- Chilla Border to Greater Noida: Vehicles will be diverted via Sector 14A flyover.
- DND Border to Delhi: Traffic will be redirected from the elevated road to the Filmcity flyover in Sector 18.
- Kalindi Border: Vehicles will be rerouted through Mahamaya flyover via Sector 37.
- Greater Noida to Delhi: Travellers should use the Hajipur underpass or Kalindi Kunj.
Goods vehicles will face restrictions on routes connecting the Yamuna Expressway to Delhi, and traffic from Sirsa to Surajpur via Pari Chowk will also be affected.
Widening Farmer Movement
Farmers have been staging protests at various locations, including the Greater Noida Authority and Yamuna Authority, since November 27. Other farmer groups, such as the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha and Samyukt Kisan Morcha, have also announced marches starting December 6, with demands for a guaranteed Minimum Support Price (MSP) being at the forefront.
This march symbolizes the intensifying farmer movement, which is pressing the government to address long-standing issues. How the government responds to these demands will determine the trajectory of the ongoing protests.