NOIDA, April 18 -- Planned as a grand showcase of Noida's growth, the city's 50th Foundation Day on Friday was reduced to a low-key affair, as a protest by daily wage workers forced authorities to cancel major events and inaugurations. The Noida Authority scrapped its planned celebrations, which included the inauguration of projects worth around Rs.10,000 crore by chief minister Yogi Adityanath, along with cultural programmes. The city - often seen as a face of industrial growth in the state - continues to witness unrest amid a series of agitations by factory workers. Leaders from the Samajwadi Party, Congress and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) visited Noida on Friday to extend support to the protesting workers. Officials said senior authorities remained "busy handling the situation" and, with the workers yet to be pacified, all Foundation Day events were cancelled except for a puja and a symbolic cake-cutting. The Authority had planned to inaugurate several projects, including the Bhangel elevated road, Sector 96 building, Chilla elevated road and road resurfacing works, with a total outlay of around Rs.10,000 crore, but these were called off due to the protest, officials said. The 3-day celebrations have also been put on hold. Established on April 17, 1976, Noida is spread over 20,316 hectares and houses a large industrial base that employs around 1.5 million people and contributes significantly to government revenue, with goods manufactured here catering to both domestic and export markets. The upcoming Noida International Airport is also expected to boost industrial growth by improving connectivity and logistics....