Farmers in Mohana village, Faridabad, have gathered for a Panchayat today to protest against the ongoing construction work by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). The issue revolves around a protective embankment or bandh being built for the new Greenfield Expressway bridge over the Yamuna river. Villagers claim that this construction has blocked the traditional routes they use to access their agricultural land, making it impossible to farm on hundreds of acres of fertile soil.
Why are the farmers protesting today?
The conflict began when farmers noticed that the new embankment wall, designed to protect bridge pillars from the river’s flow, was cutting off their right of way. On February 5, the issue was raised during a meeting of the District Grievance Redressal Committee.
During that meeting, Haryana Minister Rao Narbir Singh listened to the complaints and directed SDM Mayank Bhardwaj to conduct an inquiry into the matter. He emphasized that infrastructure should not come at the cost of farmers’ livelihoods.
However, reports indicate that the investigation has not yet formally started on the ground, while construction work reportedly continues. Frustrated by the delay and the lack of action from the administration, the villagers decided to hold a Panchayat on February 23 to plan their next course of action.
Project Details and Flood Concerns
The bridge is a crucial part of the Greenfield Expressway link intended to connect the Delhi-Agra Highway with the Yamuna Expressway. NHAI officials state that the embankment is technically necessary to shield the bridge structure from high-velocity water currents during the monsoon.
Farmers, however, are worried about more than just access. They fear that the artificial barrier will redirect river water toward their standing crops, increasing the risk of soil erosion and flooding. The local community is now demanding that the administration intervene immediately to restore their path before permanent structures make it impossible.
