Salary hike protest brings Noida to standstill: Key roads blocked, police van and vehicles torched

Traffic movement across Noida was severely disrupted on Monday as protests by hundreds of workers demanding a salary hike escalated into widespread congestion and unrest. Major roads, especially around Sector 62, Sector 16, and NH-9, were blocked by protesters, causing long traffic snarls and leaving commuters stranded for hours. Entry into Noida from the Akshardham side was also restricted, further worsening the situation for those travelling from Delhi.

The protests intensified at multiple locations, with large groups of workers gathering on roads, climbing dividers, and raising slogans, effectively bringing traffic to a standstill. Office-goers faced significant delays during peak hours as key arterial routes remained choked. Authorities were forced to divert traffic at several points, including Sector 79 Chowk, Rajnigandha Chowk, and the Chilla–Mahamaya–DND route, to manage the situation.

The situation turned tense in Noida Phase 2, where incidents of stone pelting, vehicle vandalism, and arson were reported. Police vehicles were damaged and some vehicles were set on fire, prompting a heavy deployment of security forces in the area. Law enforcement officials worked to control the crowd and restore order while urging protesters to maintain peace.

Workers, however, denied involvement in violent acts and maintained that their protest had been peaceful. They alleged that their demands, including a salary hike, payment of bonuses, proper overtime compensation, and improved workplace conditions, were not being addressed despite repeated appeals. Some workers also claimed that their wages were reduced following a change in company ownership.

The protests come a day after a meeting between district administration officials, police, and the Noida Authority, where workers were assured that their concerns would be addressed. Despite these assurances, demonstrations continued, leading to large-scale disruption in daily life and prompting authorities to remain on high alert while efforts to restore normalcy continue.