Harrowing Time On Highways, Say Commuters Stuck During Bharat Bandh

Bharat Bandh: Commuters complained that the protest by farmers disrupted their day, and some had important engagements to attend

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), an umbrella body of over 40 farm unions, led the 6 am-4 pm protest today against three controversial farm laws. The group had said they will not allow movement on some sections of national highways. Among them, near the national capital was the Kundli-Manesar-Palwal Expressway, which saw a massive traffic jam as farmers called a nationwide shutdown to protest one year of the contentious farm laws. But the protesters insisted emergency services weren't affected.

On the ground, NDTV saw several such people, some helpless citing emergency reasons, being let go. A man said his father suffered a cardiac arrest and needed to be rushed to the hospital. Another said he had a hospital appointment and had to make it on time. He too was given way.

At 10 am, on the KMP expressway - spanning over 100 km - a portion of which was blocked by protesting farmers, several cars were stuck in traffic. Many said they were unaware about the bandh, and some said they were not aware it would affect KMP Expressway.

Amarjeet, a resident of Sonipat, was traveling towards Gurgaon. He said he was upset that a bandh was called in an unfavourable manner to commuters. "I have a flight to Dubai tomorrow for which I have to take an RT-PCR today and I'm already late for my slot. This is no way to protest by upsetting the common man, who is already very upset," he said.