Bharat Bandh Today: Section 144 Imposed In Noida, Here’s The Traffic Advisory For February 16

Bharat Bandh on February 16: Several farmer’s unions, such as the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), are planning a nationwide strike called Gramin Bharat Bandh on Friday, February 16 to push for their demands from the government. They want other like-minded farmers' groups to join them in this protest, which will run from 6 am to 4 pm.

This strike is happening as many farmers, mainly from Punjab, are stopped at the Punjab-Haryana border near Ambala, about 200 kilometers from Delhi. There, security forces are using tear gas to disperse them.

Pawan Khatana, a leader of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), said that during their strike, farmers are asked to stop working for the day to pressure the government. They're urged not to work on farms or go to markets for purchases, and they're encouraging traders and transporters to join the strike as well.

Due to the upcoming Bharat Bandh called by several farmer's unions, the Gautam Buddh Nagar Police announced that on February 16, they will enforce rules to control public gatherings in the district. This decision comes because some farmer groups, including the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), plan to hold protest marches.

Bharat Bandh | Photo: BCCL

One of these groups, the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), part of SKM, had earlier called for a nationwide strike called 'Bharat Bandh' on February 16 due to various unresolved issues faced by farmers.

The police stated that because SKM and other organizations plan to hold protest activities, they will imposed Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) on February 16. This means that gatherings of five or more people and unauthorized processions or demonstrations, whether political or religious, will not be allowed.

"Various programs like protest demonstrations, etc are proposed by SKM and various organisations for Friday. Hence, Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) is implemented on February 16," the police said in a statement.

Additionally, the police have banned the use of private drones near government buildings and prohibited carrying weapons like sticks, rods, and firearms in public places.

Police advised to people to take the metro for travel tomorrow due to farmer protest.

"People going to Delhi please use Metro as much as possible to avoid traffic inconvenience. The arrival of all types of goods vehicles will be restricted on the route from Yamuna Expressway to Delhi via Noida-Greater Noida Expressway and from Sirsa to Surajpur via Pari Chowk. To avoid traffic inconvenience, drivers can use alternative routes to reach their destination," the police said.

BKU local leader Pawan Khatana explained that during the strike, farmers are asked to refrain from working in the fields or going to markets. They urge traders and transporters to join the strike as well. The farmers intend to stay in their areas and not march to Delhi.

"Farmers have been asked to shun work in farms, or not go to markets for any purchases tomorrow. Traders and transporters have also been exhorted to join the strike tomorrow," Khatana told PTI.

However, some local traders have requested both the protesting farmers and the government to have a dialogue to resolve the issue quickly. They emphasize that frequent protests disrupt normal business activities and cause inconvenience to citizens. They urge for a peaceful resolution through dialogue rather than disrupting the lives of ordinary people.

"Frequent farmer movements adversely affect everyday business activities. Citizens have to face unnecessary troubles. Everyone is suffering losses due to the closure of transport routes," Sushil Kumar Jain, president of Noida's Sector 18 market association, said.

"We appeal to the government and the farmers to resolve the issues through dialogues and not by obstructing the lives of common citizens," Jain added.

Alternate Routes Unveiled to Ease Traffic Congestion in Noida

• If you're driving from the 130-meter road towards Pari Chowk via Depot Roundabout, you'll be redirected through Supertech Roundabout, Honda CL Chowk via P-03 Roundabout, IFS Villa Roundabout.
• For those heading from Surajpur to Parichowk, the route will take you from Expomart Roundabout via Knowledge Park, then LG Roundabout.
• If you're on the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway heading to Parichowk, you'll be directed through Knowledge Park/Expomart Roundabout, then Hindon Cut/Galgotia Cut.
• From Kasna to Parichowk towards Surajpur, take the 130-meter road to Supertech Roundabout from Honda CL Chowk.
• For journeys from Chilla Border to Delhi, follow the route via Sector 14A flyover, Golchakkar Chowk, Sector 15, Sandeep Paper Mill Chowk, Jhundpura Chowk.
• If you're traveling from DND border to Delhi, use the elevated route via Filmcity Flyover, Sector 18.
• From Kalindi Border to Delhi, take Mahamaya Flyover to Sector 37.
• Traffic heading to Delhi using Yamuna Expressway should exit at Jewar Toll towards Khurja and then reach the destination via Jahangirpur.
• For traffic going to Delhi via Sirsa, Parichowk after leaving the Peripheral Expressway, the route will take you through Dadri, Dasna instead of Sirsa exit.