Traffic disrupted in Delhi and adjoining areas after massive protest by Noida workers

Traffic movement between Delhi and Noida was severely affected on Monday after a workersrsquo protest in Gautam Buddha Nagar district escalated into violence reported the IANSAccording to the Delhi Traffic Police heavy congestion was reported along the Noida Link Road as protesters blocked routes near the Chilla Border disrupting vehicles travelling from Delhi towards NoidaThe police issued a traffic advisory urging commuters to avoid the affected stretch and plan their journeys in advanceMotorists heading towards Noida were advised to use alternative routes such as the DND Flyway via Sarai Kale Khan or the NH24 route through Kondli Bridge entering Noida via Noida Mod as per the IANSProtest escalates across industrial areasAccording to the IANS the disruption coincided with rising tensions in Noida where a workersrsquo protest in Phase 2 turned violentThousands of workers from private factories had been staging a sitin protest for three days demanding better wages and improved working conditions On Monday large groups moved onto roads across several industrial sectors leading to widespread disruptionIn Sector 62 heavy gatherings worsened traffic congestion already caused by road blockadesWorkers demandsSpeaking to IANS several workers shared their grievances highlighting the growing gap between wages and living expenses A protester said that despite working for five years in the same company his monthly salary remains around Rs 12000 ldquoWhen we ask for a raise we are threatened and told to leave the jobrdquo he claimedAnother worker pointed to the rising cost of living questioning how lowincome earners are expected to survive ldquoThose earning Rs 50000 buy cooking oil at Rs 200 per kg and we also have to buy it at the same rate Is there a separate market for usrdquo he said adding that nearly Rs 5000 is spent on room rent alone ldquoOur salaries should be increasedrdquo he demandedWorkers also expressed concern over steadily rising housing costs ldquoEvery year the rent increases for the rooms but our salaries do not How are we supposed to payrdquo one protester asked adding that managing expenses like rent ration and childrenrsquos education has become increasingly difficultMany workers demanded a minimum monthly salary of Rs 20000 to Rs 25000 to sustain their households A female worker told IANS that her base salary is Rs 12000 which increases to Rs 14000ndash15000 only after overtime ldquoEven then it is not enough to sustain Our salary should be at least Rs 20000ndash25000rdquo she saidPolice deployment to restore orderPolice forces were deployed in large numbers to manage the situation and prevent further escalation Authorities are working to restore normal traffic flow and ensure the safety of commuters and nearby industrial units as per the IANSThe unrest comes despite recent assurances by district authorities Officials had earlier met representatives of companies and workers to address key concernsDistrict Magistrate Medha Roopam announced several measures including double wages for overtime weekly day off for workers double pay for work on rest days timely salary payments by the 10th of each month and mandatory salary slips and no unauthorised deductionsA dedicated control room has also been set up to handle workersrsquo grievances Authorities have appealed to protesters to remain peaceful and cooperate in maintaining law and orderwith IANS inputs