Coronavirus: Chaos, protests at Delhi-Gurugram border after Haryana government seals it

Several commuters, mostly on cycles, lodged protests after some of the cars were reportedly allowed to pass through the barricades unchecked.

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Clusters of traffic jam clogged the road connecting Delhi and Gurugram on Friday morning, a day after the Haryana government decided to completely seal its borders with the national Capital, except for essential services, to contain the coronavirus outbreak, NDTV reported.

Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij said the decision was taken in view of the rising cases of coronavirus in the state’s districts bordering the Capital. The state had already sealed the main roads connecting four districts – Gurgaon, Faridabad, Sonipat and Jhajjar – with Delhi. Anybody coming from Delhi is not allowed to enter Haryana unless they have an e-pass approved by the state’s home department.

Cyclists and pedestrians on the roads running between Delhi and Gurugram on Monday were seen mired in gridlock and hung up at countless spots, as the police stopped them from crossing over. Many of them lodged protests after some cars were reportedly allowed to pass through the barricades unchecked.

The protestors questioned why they were not allowed to move when other vehicles were crossing the border freely. A group of people on cycles, mostly workers, then blocked the road in protest. This led to snarls as cars started to pile up behind them.