Delhi Braces for Kanwar Yatra 2023: Traffic Advisory Issued

The Delhi Police released a traffic advisory for the Kanwar Yatra, commencing on the first day of Sawan, warning of expected congestion. The advisory details traffic diversions and areas likely to face heavy congestion. Motorists are advised to plan ahead and follow traffic rules to minimize inconvenience.

The Delhi Police on Sunday issued a traffic advisory regarding the elaborate arrangements for the upcoming Kanwar Yatra and cautioned that congestion is expected at several places. The Kanwar Yatra will commence on the first day of Sawan (Shravan) on Monday and will culminate on August 2 as holy Ganga water will be offered to Lord Shiva.

A large number of Kanwariyas will reach Delhi, while some of them will go to Haryana and Rajasthan via Delhi borders. This year, the expected number of people is about 15-20 lakh, the advisory said.

The advisory added that during the Kanwarias' movement, traffic violations will be checked by on-the-spot prosecution and by photography or videography of violations. Devotees carrying Kanwars will pass through several 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 Apsara Border, the advisory read.

HTVs, except city buses, will not be allowed on GT Road towards Shahdra and Wazirabad Road. 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, it said.

During this period, due to the movement of Kanwarias and setting up of Kanwaria camps on the side, traffic congestion or obstruction is likely to be experienced at several places, it stated.

Generally, heavy traffic congestion 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, and Mathura Road, the advisory said.

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 movements in advance 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 Kanwarias and other commuters and to minimize inconvenience to the general public and devotees, the advisory said.

Devotees and commuters are advised to follow the traffic rules and adhere to the directions of police, it added.

(With inputs from agencies.)