Traffic restrictions will be implemented in phases across western Uttar Pradesh for the Kanwar Yatra, which will be held from July 30 to August 11 this year. These measures are designed to manage the influx of devotees, known as kanwariyas, who undertake this annual pilgrimage. Officials confirmed that all necessary preparations, including medical support, CCTV surveillance, and the deployment of relief personnel, are now complete.

The restrictions will significantly affect key travel routes connecting Delhi, Haridwar, Dehradun, and Saharanpur. Authorities anticipate increased travel times due to necessary diversions. Additionally, bus and taxi fares may rise owing to the longer detours. The administration has taken steps to ensure that liquor shops and non-vegetarian eateries along the pilgrimage route will remain closed during this period.

In Muzaffarnagar district, from August 4, a complete ban on vehicular movement will take effect on the Delhi-Haridwar National Highway and the Ganga canal road, enhancing the smooth passage of kanwariyas. Senior Superintendent of Police Sanjay Kumar indicated that heavy vehicles would be prohibited from key routes starting July 30, with an all-encompassing traffic ban on the two specific roads coming into force on August 4.

Preparations and Security Measures

The diversion plan includes rerouting traffic from Haridwar and Saharanpur towards Delhi through alternative paths such as Deoband, Pachenda, Mirapur, and Mawana in Meerut. This plan will also apply to return traffic. The Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation is expected to operate buses along these diversion routes; however, extended travel distances may lead to longer journeys and higher fares for passengers.

In Ghaziabad, the city police have detailed a staggered diversion strategy that will be effective from July 29 to August 12. Heavy goods vehicles entering the city from Delhi have already been redirected via the Eastern Peripheral Expressway, Ganga Expressway, and Delhi-Dehradun Expressway since July 26. The restrictions will intensify for light commercial vehicles, cars, and other passenger vehicles from August 5. Various roads, including the Ganga canal embankment road and pipeline road, are set to be fully closed, while the Delhi-Meerut Expressway will halt vehicular movement starting August 7, except for specific cases of Dak Kanwariyas.

As part of the administrative measures in Ghaziabad, the entry of state-run, private, and electric buses will be suspended from certain borders, redirecting them through alternative routes from August 5. The district magistrate has outlined preparations, with the area divided into numerous zones, sectors, and sub-sectors for better administrative oversight.

Local Support Services and Surveillance

Authorities are setting up approximately 300 kanwar camps, with over 205 kanwar organisations expected to participate. Medical services are being fortified with more than 24 medical camps, 65 ambulances, and over 250 hospital beds reserved for the duration of the yatra. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) will be stationed at sensitive ghats along the Ganga canal.

In Bareilly, a substantial police presence of more than 3,900 personnel has been deployed to ensure the safety of devotees during the yatra. The district has been segmented into several super zones, zones, and sectors to facilitate security management. Temporary police checkposts and a network of more than 270 CCTV cameras will provide continuous surveillance, as stated by Senior Superintendent of Police Anurag Arya.

The ongoing preparations reflect a comprehensive approach to managing both safety and logistical issues that may arise during the Kanwar Yatra. Significant police resources and infrastructure are being mobilised to support the needs of the estimated devotees while ensuring smooth traffic flow across affected regions.

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