Gurgaon: Commuters on the Sikanderpur stretch of MG Road were stranded for over an hour on Sunday afternoon as shopowners and villagers blocked traffic against the plying of dumpers carrying loose soil for construction work.

The stir brought traffic to a standstill right up to Ghittorni. For its part, Gurgaon police maintained that the traffic jam lasted 45 minutes.

Shopowners alleged that frequent dumper movement was causing heavy pollution, and dust particles remained suspended in the locality throughout the day.

‘‘These vehicles are not covered and mud s out on the road. Since the authorities were turning a deaf ear to our complaints, we had no option but to block traffic,’’ said Sikanderpur Traders’ Welfare Association general secretary Anurag Jain.

‘‘The pollution has begun affecting our business as shoppers avoid the market. It is also causing health problems to us,’’ alleged association secretary Surendra Sethi.

Traders complained that on an average 80-100 dumpers passed through Sikanderpur every day and most of them had no number plates.
The protesters dispersed after the intervention of deputy superintendent of police, industries, Sumit Kumar. ‘‘We heard out the traders and villagers. We have already impounded some dumpers. Strict instructions have been issued to all the contractors plying these vehicles to get them covered properly,’’ said Kumar.

While the police discussed the issue with contractors, another meeting with the traders’ association will be held on Monday.