Noida Traffic Paralysed for Hours as Wage Protest Triggers Massive Jam Across Delhi Routes

Noida: Thousands of commuters faced a harrowing Monday morning as traffic across Noida and key connecting routes to New Delhi came to a near standstill following a labour protest in the city’s industrial belt.

The disruption, which lasted for nearly six hours, severely affected major arterial roads including the Delhi-Noida Link Road via Chilla border, the DND Flyway, and stretches of NH-9 and NH-24. Traffic spillover was also reported in parts of southeast Delhi, including Ashram and Sarai Kale Khan, as congestion spread rapidly during peak office and school hours.

The epicentre of the chaos was Noida’s Phase 2 industrial area, particularly around Sectors 1 and 84, where protesting workers blocked internal roads. This forced authorities to divert vehicles through limited alternative routes, intensifying congestion across nearby areas such as Sector 62 and even extending towards Greater Noida’s Pari Chowk.

Long queues of vehicles stretched for kilometres, with many motorists stuck for hours. Frustrated commuters were seen stepping out of their cars, trying to navigate alternate routes or seeking assistance from traffic personnel. For many, what is usually a short commute turned into a lengthy ordeal.

Several commuters shared their experiences of the gridlock. Office-goers travelling between Delhi, Noida, and nearby regions reported delays of up to two to three hours. Many said there was little clarity on diversions during the early hours, worsening the situation.

As congestion escalated, the Delhi Traffic Police issued advisories directing vehicles towards alternate routes via NH-9 and NH-24 from near the Akshardham flyover. Motorists heading towards Noida were also asked to use the DND Flyway or take U-turns at the Chilla border to manage traffic flow.

The impact extended beyond office commuters, affecting students and school operations as well. Several schools in Noida adjusted their dispersal plans, coordinating with police to ensure the safe movement of children amid the chaos.

Officials later stated that the situation improved by early afternoon after protesters dispersed, and traffic gradually returned to normal by evening. Authorities have since increased deployment to prevent further disruptions.

The incident highlights the vulnerability of key NCR routes to sudden disruptions and the cascading effect such protests can have on daily life in one of the country’s busiest commuter corridors.