Delhi, UP issue traffic advisory as Kanwar Yatra gets underway

Traffic restrictions have been imposed across Delhi and Uttar Pradesh as the annual Kanwar Yatra began on Thursday with the onset of the holy month of Shravan. Authorities have stepped up security, deployed additional police personnel and issued traffic advisories as lakhs of Kanwariyas begin their pilgrimage to collect holy Ganga water from Haridwar.

Officials expect over four crore devotees to visit Haridwar during the yatra, prompting extensive traffic diversions and security arrangements across several districts.

Delhi Police issues traffic advisory

Delhi Police has tightened security across the national capital and warned commuters of traffic disruptions due to the movement of Kanwariyas and the establishment of Kanwar camps.

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According to the advisory, traffic movement is likely to be affected on Najafgarh Firni Road, Rohtak Road, Pankha Road, Dev Prakash Shastri Marg, Nangloi-Najafgarh Road and sections of the Outer Ring Road. Motorists have been advised to plan their journeys in advance and use alternate routes wherever possible.

UP enforces phased diversions, boosts security

Western Uttar Pradesh has also implemented phased traffic restrictions for the pilgrimage. Medical facilities, CCTV surveillance, relief teams and security personnel have been deployed along major Kanwar routes. Authorities have also removed liquor shops and non-vegetarian eateries from the pilgrimage route.

In Ghaziabad, traffic diversions will remain in force from July 29 to August 12, with heavy goods vehicles being diverted through the Eastern Peripheral Expressway, Ganga Expressway and Delhi-Dehradun Expressway.

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Meanwhile, Bareilly has deployed more than 3,900 police personnel across the district, while the Meerut zone has stationed around 25,000 police personnel along with nearly 7,000 AI-enabled CCTV cameras, temporary police posts and integrated command centres.

Delhi-Haridwar highway to face major restrictions

Authorities said heavy vehicles will be barred from key routes beginning July 30. From August 4, all traffic will be prohibited on the Delhi-Haridwar National Highway and the Ganga canal road in Muzaffarnagar.

Vehicles travelling between Haridwar, Saharanpur and Delhi will be diverted through Deoband, Pachenda, Mirapur and Mawana in Meerut. Travellers heading to Haridwar and Dehradun have been advised to use the Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor, while ambulances and emergency vehicles will be allowed through restricted stretches under police escort.

FAQs

Which roads are affected in Delhi during the Kanwar Yatra?

Najafgarh Firni Road, Rohtak Road, Pankha Road, Dev Prakash Shastri Marg, Nangloi-Najafgarh Road and parts of the Outer Ring Road are expected to witness traffic restrictions.

When will traffic be restricted on the Delhi-Haridwar highway?

Heavy vehicles are restricted from July 30, while all traffic will be prohibited on the Delhi-Haridwar National Highway in Muzaffarnagar from August 4.