Central Delhi came to a standstill when thousands of farmers from North India took to the streets on Thursday to protest against the new regime of pricing and procurement of sugarcane, as announced by the government.
Neeranjan Sahu, who had been sitting in a bus for more than two hours due to the traffic snarls, said, “I’m on my way to Lajpat Nagar and seeing the number of people who blocked the road, I’ll only be able to reach if I start walking.” On KG Marg, the road leading to India Gate was jammed with hundreds of cars and buses. Some commuters looked angry and frustrated while others had given up on hope. A few were spotted sleeping in buses and cars. After whining for hours, the Sengupta family, on its way to the railway station, took to the puzzles in the newspaper they had in their car. Others who were a little less patient and not in the luxury of comfortable cars, got down from the Blueline (buses) and haggled with the conductors to return their ticket money. “I took a ticket till Kalyanpuri. I want my Rs 14 (ticket money) back,” said a passenger.
Moitri Kanunjna, who had just come from Assam and was going to her daughter’s place in Gurgaon, said, “I’m stuck here for two hours now. My daughter has taken leave to spend time with me. The day will be wasted as I don’t see this jam clearing any time soon.” Aditi, who was spotted sitting in an auto-rickshaw, said, “I don’t understand why common people like us have to suffer because of the issues that these farmers have. There should be a
designated place where groups can demonstrate. They can not disrupt our lives like this.” Many others HT City spoke to shared a similar view.
Moitri Kanunjna, who had just come from Assam and was going to her daughter’s place in Gurgaon, said, “I’m stuck here for two hours now. My daughter has taken leave to spend time with me. The day will be wasted as I don’t see this jam clearing any time soon.” Aditi, who was spotted sitting in an auto-rickshaw, said, “I don’t understand why common people like us have to suffer because of the issues that these farmers have. There should be a
designated place where groups can demonstrate. They can not disrupt our lives like this.” Many others HT City spoke to shared a similar view.