Ghaziabad is gearing up for the annual Kanwar Yatra, a significant Hindu pilgrimage, with extensive traffic diversions set to come into effect from July 11. These measures are being implemented to ensure the safe and smooth passage of lakhs of devotees who will be traversing through the district en route to Haridwar to collect sacred Ganga water. The yatra is scheduled to begin on July 11 and conclude on August 9, with Sawan Shivratri falling on July 23.
Phased Diversions for Smooth Flow
The Ghaziabad traffic police have announced a phased diversion plan. From July 11, heavy vehicles will face restrictions on major routes. These vehicles will be diverted away from the Delhi-Meerut Road and sections of the Delhi-Meerut Expressway. Instead, they will primarily utilize NH-9 from the UP Gate and the Eastern Peripheral Expressway (EPE) to reach their destinations, including Dasna, Hapur, and Moradabad.
For light vehicles, diversions will become effective from July 17. These vehicles will also be directed to use NH-9 and the EPE for travel towards Meerut and other areas. The diversions are expected to commence at 10 PM on July 11 for heavy vehicles and 8 PM on July 17 for light vehicles, remaining in effect until the morning of July 25, when the majority of Kanwariyas return after offering Ganga Jal on Shivratri.
Specifically, routes like Muradnagar to Tila Morh, and parts of the Delhi-Meerut Road are being designated for Kanwariyas traveling on foot from Uttarakhand. The Delhi-Meerut Expressway will primarily be used for “Dak Kanwars,” which involve groups of pilgrims using light commercial vehicles for a relay run.
Comprehensive Arrangements for Pilgrims and Commuters
The Ghaziabad police and district administration have held coordination meetings with their counterparts from neighboring districts, including Delhi, Noida, Hapur, Baghpat, and Bulandshahr, to ensure seamless traffic management and law and order.
To facilitate the yatra, three main control rooms, one dedicated traffic control room, and twelve sub-control rooms will be established across Ghaziabad. A WhatsApp group comprising senior police officers from the region has also been formed for swift decision-making, particularly at border areas. Around 2,000 police personnel will be deployed specifically for Kanwar duty within the district.
Safety measures along the Kanwar route, which spans approximately 25 km from Muradnagar to Tila Morh and 42.5 km from the Kadrabad border to the Delhi-Ghaziabad border, are being meticulously planned. This includes covering transformers and electricity poles with plastic, ensuring proper lighting, providing drinking water and mobile toilets, and deploying ambulances at accident-prone spots. Over 165 Kanwar camps are expected to be set up, with a focus on making them plastic-free.
Commuters are advised to stay informed about the diversions through signage boards that will be installed at various points. While the aim is to prioritize the movement of Kanwariyas, local traffic within Ghaziabad city will also be managed with heavy deployment of traffic and police personnel, and civil defense volunteers. Barricades will be put up to prevent internal traffic from entering the designated diversion roads, with stricter enforcement during peak yatra days.
The administration is committed to ensuring a peaceful and convenient pilgrimage for the devotees while minimizing inconvenience to regular commuters. Residents and travelers are urged to plan their journeys accordingly and cooperate with traffic police to ensure the smooth conduct of the Kanwar Yatra.