Kanwar Yatra 2026: Traffic restrictions on Delhi-Haridwar Expressway at Muzaffarnagar from August 4 to 12 | Today’s news
All vehicles will be banned on the Delhi-Haridwar Expressway and Ganga Road in Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar from August 4 to 12 for Kanwar Yatra 2026, while movement of heavy vehicles will be restricted from July 30, police said on Monday, PTI reported.
The Kanwar Yatra will be held from July 30 to August 11, during which thousands of devotees collect holy water from the Ganga in Haridwar and carry it to Shiva temples in their hometowns.
Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Atul Kumar Chaubey said that stretches of the Delhi-Haridwar National Highway will be reserved for Kanwariyas during the yatra.
Heavy vehicles will be restricted on the route from July 30 to ensure smooth running of the annual pilgrimage, while all vehicles will be banned from using the Delhi-Haridwar Expressway and Ganga Canal Road between August 4 and 12 to ensure smooth running of the yatra, PTI reported.
District Magistrate Umesh Mishra told reporters that police divers will be deployed at all major bathing spots to ensure security throughout the pilgrimage. A temporary police station has been set up at Rampur Tiraha on the Delhi-Dehradun National Highway to help secure the next pilgrimage.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sanjai Kumar said Sub-Inspector Subhash Chand will be the SHO of the temporary station with 20 policemen deployed, PTI reported.
Increased security for devotees
The traffic curbs are part of a series of measures announced by the UP government for the annual pilgrimage.
Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) will run additional buses on major Kanwar routes including Haridwar from July 30.
Besides, the state government will also set up a 24×7 control room to monitor the pilgrimage and coordinate it with various departments, India Today reported. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed authorities to strengthen police patrols and deploy CCTV cameras and drones at key locations to ensure a higher level of security.
There are 350 buses plying on the Ghaziabad-Haridwar route
Ghaziabad regional transport director Kesari Nandan Chaudhary said on July 24 that 350 buses would be plying on the Ghaziabad-Haridwar route over 12 days to meet the surge in passenger demand during Kanwar Yatra 2026, The Times of India reported.
To streamline operations and improve coordination during the pilgrimage, the transport department will set up temporary bus depots at Lal Kuan and Dasna, the release added.
“Traffic on normal city routes reduces during Kanwar Yatra, which allows us to divert these buses. They will operate from one depot to another as a regular service and will also go to Haridwar,” Chaudhary told TOI.
