Farmers Movement Archive

It may take a few more days for regular traffic to resume on highways

New Delhi/ Ghaziabad: It may take a few more days for the highway stretches on Delhi borders to be opened for both in-bound and out-bound traffic after the protesting farmers leave the sites, sources said. While before allowing Delhi-bound traffic on the Delhi Meerut Expressway the NHAI will carry out an assessment of any damage, the highway carriageways at Singhu border may be opened for traffic within days, TOI has learnt. “Giving any timeline would be premature until the protesters leave the sites and we take control of the stretches. There is a possibility that we may have to carry out some repairs. But those can be done done quickly. We are gearing up for resuming traffic movement at Singhu border,” said a senior NHAI official. He added that they are working on preparations to bring relief to lakhs of commuters who are now forced to take a long detour. On the probability of opening the Delhi-Meerut Expressway for traffic, another official said they can’t take any risk and hence there will be a proper assessment of the damages, if any, caused to the road and structures. “We have been waiting for long. As soon as the sites are back in our control we will complete the assessment and do the needful. If there are no major issues, we may allow cars and other light motor vehicles to use the stretch,” he added. Another official said the NHAI team was not allowed to enter the protest site on Delhi-Meerut Expressway. But they are aware that in the past one year some portions have been damaged. “The farmers have destroyed electric panels and they have also dug up DME to pitch tents. At many places semi-permanent structures have also come up,” he added. As far as barricades that have been set up on the Delhi side of Meerut Expressway, SP (traffic) of Ghaziabad, Ramanand Kushwaha said, “It is up to the Delhi Police when they will remove barricades, but we assume it will be done soon.” He added, “We propose a joint meeting with the Delhi Police in which we will discuss the manner in which the barricades will be removed.” Earlier, the local office of NHAI had written to the Ghaziabad and East Delhi administrations seeking to set up a team for assessment of damage caused to to the expressway portion. It had suggested that the team should have representatives from local administration, police, PWD or any technical wing, NHAI, the private concessionaire and supervision consultant of the project.

The Times of India

2021-12-10

Delhi