A labour protest in Noida’s industrial belt triggered widespread traffic disruption on Monday morning, bringing several major routes linking Delhi, Noida and Ghaziabad to a near standstill. The impact was felt for nearly six hours during peak school and office commute timings, leaving thousands stranded on congested roads.
Among the worst-hit stretches were the Delhi-Noida Link Road via Chilla border, the Delhi-Noida-Direct flyway, and the Delhi-Meerut Expressway, along with NH-9 and NH-24. The ripple effect extended into parts of southeast Delhi, including Ashram and Sarai Kale Khan, as congestion spilt over into adjoining routes.
Epicentre in Noida’s industrial zones
Within Noida, the disruption was concentrated around the Phase 2 industrial area, especially Sectors 1 and 84. Traffic snarls were also reported near Sector 62 along NH-9 and around Pari Chowk in Greater Noida. As commuters tried to avoid blocked stretches, alternate routes quickly became choked, worsening the situation.
Long queues of vehicles stretched for kilometres, with many barely moving during the morning rush. Some commuters stepped out of their vehicles, seeking help from traffic personnel as delays mounted.
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Diversions and delayed advisories
As congestion intensified near the Chilla border, the Delhi Traffic Police issued an advisory at 11:48 am on social media, urging commuters to take alternative routes.
Deputy commissioner of police (traffic) K Ramesh said, “Traffic moving towards Noida from ITO, Vikas Marg, and Geeta Colony was diverted towards NH-9 and NH-24 from near Akshardham flyover. Similarly, motorists were asked to take a U-turn at the Chilla border and use the DND flyway to enter Noida. Vehicles coming towards Chilla border from Noida were also diverted to the DND and other alternate routes.”
Officials indicated that the situation worsened as protesters blocked internal roads, limiting exit options and forcing diversions through already burdened routes.
Commuters face hours-long delays
Office-goers, air travellers, and railway passengers were among those most affected.
“I left home early thinking I would avoid the rush, but got stuck near Sector 44 for over an hour,” Hindustan Times quoted Richa Verma, an IT professional commuting to a corporate office in Sector 135, as saying. “People were getting out of cars, checking Google Maps, trying to figure out alternate routes, but everything was jammed.”
Ankit Sharma, a daily commuter on the DND route, told HT that it took me “nearly two and a half hours to reach from Indirapuram to Okhla.” “Usually, it’s a 45-minute drive. There was no clarity on diversions, and traffic just wasn’t moving.”
“There was no proper advisory in the morning. By the time we realised what was happening, we were already stuck in the middle of it,” said Neha Gupta, a commuter in Phase 2, Sector 1.
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Schools adjust, traffic eases later
The disruption also affected school operations. Renu Singh, director principal of Amity International School, Noida, said the school revised dispersal plans to prioritise student safety. “We handled student dispersal very carefully and were in regular contact with Noida Police, taking updates from them. Based on their guidance, buses were routed accordingly,” HT cited Singh as saying.
Traffic began to ease by mid-afternoon. “Traffic movement became normal around 1:30 pm after protesters dispersed from Noida Sector-14,” said DCP (traffic) Ramesh.
A senior Delhi Traffic Police officer said they were not informed in advance about the protest and only received input around 9.30 am from Noida Police regarding diversions.
Deputy commissioner of police (traffic), Noida, Shailendra Kumar Singh said, “The situation is under control and traffic is moving smoothly on the expressways and other arterial routes. Adequate police deployment has been ensured, and teams remain on the ground to manage the situation and prevent any further escalation.”
