Farmers Movement Archive

All crossings on Airport Road blocked

Mohali: Farmers and their supporters gathered in huge numbers at every major crossing on the Airport Road on Monday. Apart from ambulances carrying patients and medical papers and those heading to the airport, all others were not allowed to cross the barricades.Airport Road has remained the epicentre of all the farmers’ protests. Approximately 13 crossings on the road were completely blocked. However, the main protest was witnessed at Singh Shaheedan Gurdwara crossing and the turn towards the airport, where hundreds of farmers and supporters had pitched tents. Apart from tractors and trolleys, this time farmers also used combine harvesters to block the road crossings. A protesting farmer said, “It is high time the government thinks about the livelihood of food providers. We have been pressing for our rights to protect our future. All the three farm laws are fatal for the farmers and must be revoked.” Jams at four pointsMajor traffic jams were witnessed at four strategic protest locations in Mohali. Apart from entry and exit points at Lalru and Kharar, jams were witnessed at Azizpur toll plaza and McDonald’s crossing at Zirakpur. A 3-km jam was witnessed at Azizpur toll plaza that was blocked by the protesters and police had a tough time in clearing it as no alternative route was open. People were either seen dragging their luggage to cross the Zirakpur border towards Chandigarh or resting in the corridors for the protest to be over so that they could continue with their journey.Air passengers had to walk This time farmers did allow passengers going to board flights after they produced their tickets, but those reaching Chandigarh had to walk a long distance to get a taxi or an autorickshaw. The exit roads from the Chandigarh international airport were blocked and the flyers had to walk through Jagatpura and on the airport road to cross over into the UT to get a taxi. Those going towards Mohali had to either walk for more than 15 kms or wait at the Airport Road to get a transport.

The Times of India

2021-09-28

Chandigarh