Every year in the month of Sawan, which falls around July and August, the Kanwar Yatra is held. The annual pilgrimage involves devotees of Lord Shiva, called kanwariyas, undertaking a sacred journey to fetch holy water from River Ganges. However, this time around there will be major disruptions towards the end as police have decided to shut down a significant stretch of the Delhi-Meerut Expressway (DME) in Ghaziabad for the yatra.

All six lanes of the expressway will be closed starting from the night of July 28. The closure will be in effect from UP Gate near the Delhi border to Kashi toll plaza near the Meerut border and is expected to last at least five days. However, during this period, adjacent lanes of NH-9 will remain open.

Delhi-Meerut Expressway Traffic

Police commissioner Ajay Kumar Mishra said that a detailed diversion plan is being worked out to manage traffic smoothly.. He added that diversions were made on NH-9 last year too leading to congestion in several areas. Eastern Peripheral Expressway, Noida-Delhi Direct Flyway (DND Flyway) and Noida-Greater Noida Expressway were used as alternative routes to decongest traffic on NH-24.

In Ghaziabad, three main routes are used by pilgrims from Uttar Pradesh and Delhi heading towards Haridwar for their journey across river Ganga during the Kanwar Yatra. Pilgrims walking on foot usually take Pipeline Road from Loni Border to Niwari while dak kanwariyas prefer walking barefoot and are supported by relay runners traveling in trucks or on motorcycles use Delhi-Meerut Expressway predominantly. Many other kanwariyas take GT Road via NH-34.

Traffic restrictions will be imposed in different phases considering influx of Kanwariyas who undertake pilgrimage journeys on foot for fetching holy waters from river Ganga.Here’s how the restrictions will be placed:

Phase 1 (July 22–July 24): Heavy vehicles including trucks and buses will be diverted to NH-9 and Eastern Peripheral Expressway. Light vehicles can still ply on expressway as well as NH-58.

Phase 2 (July 25–July 28): Light vehicles can use NH-58 but they must stick to left side of road while travelling from Delhi towards Haridwar thereby creating a dedicated lane for Kanwariyas only.

Phase 3 (July 29–August 4): Strictest measures will be taken during this phase with complete prohibition of all kinds of vehicles on Delhi-Meerut Expressway and NH-58 between Haridwar and Meerut.

Mishra said last year dak kanwariyas preferred Delhi-Meerut Expressway which was taken into account this time allowing them to use the expressway while diverting other vehicular traffic. A comprehensive diversion plan will be shared across social media platforms etc.