Kanwar Yatra 2024: Delhi Police Issues Traffic Advisory — Check Restrictions, Routes To Avoid

The Kanwar Yatra, starting July 22, will bring an estimated 15-20 lakh devotees to Delhi. Authorities have made arrangements to minimize inconvenience and ensure a smooth yatra.

A large number of Kanwariyas are expected to reach Delhi before August 2. (Image: PTI)

Source : PTI

Delhi News: With the Kanwar Yatra set to start on Monday, the Delhi Police has issued a traffic advisory notifying commuters about the elaborate arrangements made for Kanwariyas and cautioning them about congestion expected at several places. Kanwar Yatra is a yearly sacred pilgrimage taken by Lord Shiva devotees. It commenced on Monday, July 222 -- the first day of Sawan (Shravan) -- and will culminate on August 2 as holy Ganga water will be offered to Lord Shiva. Devotees worship Lord Shiva during the month of Sawan, and those who bring Kanwars are known as Kanwariyas.

A large number of Kanwariyas will reach Delhi, while some of them will go to Haryana and Rajasthan via Delhi borders. As per Delhi police, this year, the expected number of people is about 15- 20 lakh. During this period, due to the movement of Kanwarias and the setting up of Kanwaria camps on the side, traffic congestion or obstruction is likely to be experienced at several places.

Traffic Advisory

• The devotees carrying Kanwars will pass through routes, including Apsara Border, Shahdara Flyover, Seelampur 'T' Point, ISBT Flyover Boulevard Road, Rani Jhansi Road, Faiz Road, Upper Ridge Road, Dhaula Kuan, NH-8 and exit from Rajokri Border for Haryana.
• To ensure a smooth yatra for the Kanwarias, heavy transport vehicles (HTV) will be diverted by the Uttar Pradesh Police from Mohan Nagar towards NH-24, and no such traffic will be allowed towards Wazirabad Road via Bhopura and towards GT Road via Apsra Border, the advisory said.
• Further, the police said that HTVs, except city buses, will not be allowed on GT Road towards Shahdra and Wazirabad Road. The heavy commercial transport vehicles, except city buses coming from GT Karnal Road at Outer Ring Road, will be diverted straight towards NH-24 and will not be allowed to move on Wazirabad Road and GT Road towards Shahadra.
• Police said that during the period of the Kanwarias movement, traffic violations will be checked by on-the-spot prosecution and by photography or videography of violations.
• During the movement of Kanwarias, police noted that heavy traffic congestion generally occurs on Najafgarh Firni, Rohtak Road, Pankha Road, Outer Ring Road, Rani Jhansi Road from Baraf Khana Chowk to the fire station, Boulevard Road, Maujpur Chowk, Badarpur T-Point, Mathura Raod among other places. Similarly, traffic congestion is likely to be experienced on NH-8 from Dhaula Kuan metro station up to Rajokri Border. 
• Due to the diversion of vehicular traffic bound for the Apsara Border and Maharajpur Border to Ghazipur by UP Police, there will be congestion on NH-24 as well, the advisory mentioned.
• "Motorists and commuters are advised to plan their movement to avoid inconvenience and delay. In addition to these important roads and intersections, Kanwarias movement will be observed in smaller numbers in several locations across Delhi," it said.

The traffic police have made elaborate arrangements to segregate the movement of Kanwrias and other commuters and to minimise inconvenience to the general public and devotees. It advised devotees and commuters to follow the traffic rules and adhere to the directions.