Chandigarh: A large-scale farmers’ protest by Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) on Friday brought parts of Chandigarh to a standstill. As hundreds of farmers arrived in buses, tractor-trolleys and private vehicles, they triggered major traffic disruptions across several sectors.
Despite alert, farmers’ protest tangles UT traffic Traffic Jam in City due to Kishan Rally on July 10, 2026. Photo by PRITAM THAKUR
The protest, called against the proposed India-US trade deal and other issues concerning farming community, saw farmers from different parts of Punjab gathering at the Exhibition Ground in Sector 34 before marching towards Matka Chowk in Sector 17.The influx of protesters in nearly 150 buses, tractor-trolleys and cars led to long traffic snarls on key city roads. Despite having prior information of the rally, police struggled to handle the chaos. Traffic literally inched. One motorist said a 6km trip to his child’s school in Sector 27 took one and a half hours. “Signals were on the blink and police took charge but as we crawled from one jam to the next, it seemed as if the cops in one roundabout had no coordination with those at the next. Twice we were sent back the way we came. How is that ‘diversion’ going to help? he asked.Traffic remained heavily congested along stretches connecting Madhya Marg and Dakshin Marg. Bottlenecks were also reported in sectors 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 34, 35 and 36. There was severe congestion on internal roads as well. The chaos worsened in the afternoon as school dispersal coincided with the farmers’ march. Several school buses carrying children were caught in jams for extended periods. Manpreet Singh, driver of a private school bus, said the vehicle remained stuck near Sector 33 for more than 30 minutes. “The children were getting restless and anxious parents kept calling to know when their children would reach home,” he said.Residents also faced significant delays. Ranjit Lamba, a resident of Sector 38, said he picked up his son from a school in Sector 27 around 2pm but took nearly one-and-a-half hours to reach home. “Almost all roads leading to our sector were affected because of the protest,” he said. Despite the protest having been announced in advance, many commuters complained of inadequate traffic management. A senior traffic police officer said an advisory regarding restrictions and diversions had been issued on Thursday, requesting commuters to use alternate routes. Traffic police personnel, along with police teams from other wings, were deployed across the city to manage both traffic movement and the protest, which was led by SKM leader Joginder Singh Ugrahan.Farmers first assembled at the Sector 34 ground and later moved in a convoy towards Matka Chowk. The Chandigarh administration had granted permission for the rally only up to Matka Chowk, and the march remained confined to the approved route. Heavy deployment of Chandigarh Police and paramilitary personnel was made at Sector 34 and Matka Chowk to prevent any untoward incident. Barricades were erected at key points and several farmers were seen travelling on the roofs of buses as they joined the protest. After reaching Matka Chowk, the protesters returned to the Exhibition Ground in Sector 34, where a public gathering was held.The administration had permitted the rally between 12:30pm and 2pm. Addressing the gathering, farmer leaders expressed opposition to the proposed India-US free trade agreement, saying it could adversely affect Indian agriculture, the dairy sector and small industries. They argued that the entry of cheaper foreign agricultural products into the domestic market could impact farm incomes and the livelihood of rural communities. The farmers also opposed the Punjab govt’s new land pooling policy on the grounds that it was against farmers’ interests and could have long-term implications for agricultural land.Stuck In A JamAround 150 buses, tractor-trolleys and cars carrying farmers entered Chandigarh for the SKM protestMajor congestion reported on Madhya Marg, Dakshin Marg and roads in sectors 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 34, 35 and 36Long queues of vehicles witnessed on several arterial and internal roadsSchool dispersal coincided with the protest, worsening traffic conditions across the citySeveral school buses remained stranded in gridlock, delaying students’ return homeCommuters reported being stuck for over an hour on many stretchesTraffic police had issued an advisory a day earlier, but motorists still faced major disruptionsPolice implemented diversions and deployed additional personnel to manage traffic and the protest route
