Faridabad: Villagers try to block KGP e-way, foiled

Tribune News Service

Bijendra Ahlawat

Faridabad, March 3

The police thwarted an attempt to block traffic movement on the KGP (Kundli-Ghaziabad-Palwal) Expressway on Sunday by deploying a large number of its force on roads leading to the proposed site near Mohna village.

The protesters, staging a sit-in for the past four-and-a-half months demanding access to the upcoming Greenfield Expressway between Faridabad and Jewar in UP, had issued an ultimatum to block the expressway in protest against the delay in accepting their demand.

Access to Greenfield Expressway sought

• Protesters have been staging sit-in for the past four-and-a-half months to demand access to upcoming Greenfield Expressway
• This marks the second instance in the past month when the farmers announced plans to block traffic on the KGP Expressway

While protesters had assembled at Mohna village this morning along with over 100 tractor-trolleys to stage a traffic blockade on the expressway, the organisers of the protest decided to halt the move after learning about the heavy police presence near the KGP Expressway.

“Sensing a potential for violent clashes and aiming to prevent an unpleasant situation, the protesters decided to hold a demonstration at their sit-in spot to discuss the next strategy,” said Devi Singh Lamba, one of the organisers.

He said since October 15 last year, the farmers had been conducting their protest in a peaceful manner, and were keen on avoiding violence, especially with the large police presence deployed to prevent them. Although district officials met the protesters this morning and promised a resolution soon, he stated that if their demands are not met within a week, the farmers will announce their next strategy.

This marks the second instance in the past month when the farmers announced plans to block traffic on the KGP Expressway. Previously, on February 19, the police had filed a case against over 100 persons for blocking the KGP Expressway.

Lamba pointed out that the lack of access to the expressway would force residents to take detours of several kilometres to reach the Greenfield Expressway and other main roads. The protest by farmers and residents from around 24 villages in the region has now entered its 141st day.

Union Minister for Heavy Industries and local MP Krishan Pal Gurjar, along with Rajesh Nagar and Nayan Pal Rawat, MLAs from Tigaon and Prithla constituencies respectively, are among the ruling party leaders who met Union Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari in this reagrd. They claim to have been assured of a feasibility report by the NHAI soon.

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