Commuters in the central business district of Belagavi city suffered a two-hour-long traffic jam caused by a protest rally by farmers on Monday.
Innumerable farmers sat at the Rani Channamma Circle, stopping movement of vehicles on four double roads that cut through the intersection.
The farmers shouted slogans against the Union and State governments, seeking loan waiver, speedy completion of irrigation schemes and fulfilment of other demands. They told the police that they would not budge till Deputy Commissioner N. Jayaram came to the spot to listen to their grievances. They moved only after the officer came to the spot and received their memorandum.
Vehicles stood idling for over a kilometre on Club Road, leading to the Defence Colony from Channamma Circle. Police diverted traffic away from the central business district, by asking commuters to ride through the military camp area and Vengurla road. Heavy rain added to the problem. Vehicles remained stuck on the century-old overbridge near the railway station. The speed of vehicles was slowed down on Congress Road and Khanapur Road, due to the jam at Gogte Circle too.