The workers not only refused to stop garbage dumping, paralysed traffic in the area including NH 24 and other key roads. With the cleaning of roads coming to a halt, sanitation workers threatened to intensify their protest. Nearly 5,000 employees of Karol Bagh zone of North MCD also joined the protest on Wednesday demanding <g data-gr-id="33">release</g> of their salaries.
The protesters, who gathered at various parts of East and North East Delhi, tried to stop vehicular movement early on Wednesday morning by dumping garbage at the middle of the road leading to traffic snarls at many places across the national Capital. Angry workers, in order to mark their protest, blocked NH 24 during peak hours that led to a vehicle pile-up between on the highway.
The commuters especially office-goers, who were stuck in the jam for several hours, changed route and reached their destinations via Noida and Mohan Nagar. “It was very difficult to manage the traffic here as we can’t stand on the road. The vehicles slow down while passing through the garbage,” said a traffic police personnel posted at crowded Laxmi Nagar area.
“We need to be paid two months’ wages. We are hungry, we don’t have anything to feed our children with, which is why we are here on the streets protesting. The Corporations’ promise to regularize services of <g data-gr-id="38">fourth grade</g> employees has not been fulfilled yet. And hence we want written assurances on this. Today (Wednesday), thousands of employees from Karol Bagh have joined us refusing to collect garbage and the number will go up once employees of other zones will join protest,” said Rajendra Mewati, president of Delhi Pradesh <g data-gr-id="44">Safai</g> <g data-gr-id="45">Majdoor</g> Union.
Traffic outside the Radha Palace cinema in Delhi’s Laxmi Nagar came to a standstill as garbage was dumped on the road, blocking vehicular movement.
Garbage was thrown in Patparganj, Laxmi Nagar, Shahdara and other places of East Delhi also along with Karol Bagh area.
“We want the government to take notice and give us our due. If they pay us our wages, we are willing to return to work tomorrow (Thursday). We are being victimised,” said another protester.