Delhi Traffic Advisory: As the annual Kanwar Yatra approaches, the Delhi traffic police have announced a series of traffic arrangements to manage the anticipated influx of devotees. The phased suspension of vehicular traffic on National Highway 58 (NH 58) and the Delhi-Meerut Expressway will be in effect from July 22 to August 4.
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Dhruv Kant Thakur, the Additional Director General of Police for the Meerut zone, chaired a meeting with officials from 14 districts of western Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana and Delhi to finalise the traffic management plan. The discussions aimed to ensure smooth transit for commuters during the Kanwar Yatra, which is expected to draw a large number of devotees.
Starting from July 22, heavy vehicles will be prohibited from using NH 58 and the Delhi-Meerut Expressway. This restriction will be further tightened from July 25, with only light and medium light vehicles being permitted on the left side of NH 58 for travel from Delhi towards Haridwar.
As the flow of kanwariyas is expected to peak in the final week of July, leading up to Shivratri on August 2, the authorities have implemented stricter measures. From July 29 to August 4, all vehicle types will face a complete ban on NH 58 and the Delhi-Meerut Expressway between Haridwar and Meerut.
Local police have been instructed to devise alternate routes and diversion plans to ensure the smooth movement of commuters during this period. Moreover, a dedicated WhatsApp group spanning the 14 districts will facilitate real-time communication among officials to manage the surge of devotees effectively.
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Security measures are also being ramped up to safeguard the kanwariyas throughout their journey. A high-level meeting on July 6 in Meerut, attended by the Chief Secretary, DGP and other officials, will further review and bolster preparations for the Kanwar Yatra.
The Kanwar Yatra is a significant annual pilgrimage, where lakhs of devotees undertake the journey on foot, carrying holy water from the Ganges to offer at Lord Shiva temples on Shivratri.
