Farmers' March To Delhi: Fears Mount Over Repeat Of Economic Loss Incurred During 2020-21 Protests

The economies of Punjab and Haryana are facing the risk of another huge loss due to the call of “Delhi Chalo’’ by multiple farmer’s unions on February 13. During the previous farmers' agitation over the three agricultural reform laws in 2020-21, the economies of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir suffered a loss of Rs 3,500 crore per day, according to the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM). 

The Northern Railway had also lost revenue of Rs 891 crore and total earnings of Rs 2,200 crore due to the disruption of train services. The entrepreneurs of Haryana are worried about the impact of the farmers' march on their businesses and supply chains as several farmer’s groups from Haryana and Punjab are again marching towards the national capital, increasing the risk of another huge economic loss.

This year, the Shambhu border and toll plaza have been closed since Saturday, resulting in a daily revenue loss of about Rs 70 lakh for the government replicating the economic loss incurred by the government last time, when the farmers' movement took the entire Delhi NCR by storm. 

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The police administration has made elaborate security arrangements in the border districts to stop the farmers from Punjab. A total of 14 companies of paramilitary forces have been deployed in Sirsa and Dabwali, where the traffic movement on the Ghaggar bridge has been made one way.

The Fatehabad district administration has taken strict measures to seal all the borders with Punjab, as farmers continue to protest against the new farm laws. The roads have been blocked with nails, cement pillars, barricades, concrete walls, soil, stones and containers. Vehicles coming from or going to Punjab have to use alternative routes.

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The security forces have been deployed in large numbers at the border areas, especially on Highway 148B, Hisar Road and NH 44. CCTV cameras and barbed wire have also been installed to monitor the situation.

The industrialists and sarpanch of Sonipat have appealed to the farmers to exercise restraint and avoid violence. They said that the farmer movement has caused a lot of damage to both the farmers and the industrial sector.