Ahead of the annual Kanwar Yatra 2026, authorities have announced extensive traffic restrictions and route diversions across Delhi-NCR, Meerut, and Uttarakhand. Commuters should prepare for significant disruptions from July 30 to August 12, as key highways will be partially or fully reserved for the lakhs of Kanwariyas carrying holy Ganga water from Haridwar to various Shiva temples.
Major Highway Restrictions and Reservations
The Delhi-Haridwar National Highway and the Ganga Canal road are central to the Kanwar Yatra route and will experience the most stringent measures. From July 30, the movement of heavy vehicles will be restricted on these vital arteries. A more comprehensive ban will come into effect between August 4 and August 12, during which all regular vehicular traffic will be prohibited on these routes.
Officials have confirmed that specific sections of the Delhi-Haridwar National Highway will be exclusively reserved for pilgrims, particularly as the rush intensifies in the days leading up to Shivratri.
Ghaziabad and Delhi-NCR Diversions
The wider Delhi-NCR region, especially around Ghaziabad, will see significant diversions. Heavy vehicles are restricted from July 30, with all vehicles banned from August 4 to August 12 on the Delhi-Haridwar National Highway stretch. Light commercial vehicles, including cars, pickups, mini-trucks, and tempos, will face bans from August 5 to August 12.
Vehicles originating from Delhi, Baghpat, Hapur, and Bulandshahr will be rerouted via alternative routes such as the Eastern Peripheral Expressway, NH-9, and the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway. Public transport services are also affected:
- From August 5, roadways, private, city, and electric buses will not be permitted to enter Ghaziabad via Seemapuri Border and Tulsi Niketan.
- Buses from Bulandshahr will terminate at Lal Kuan.
- Anand Vihar and Kaushambi bus services will follow revised routes.
Within Ghaziabad, two-wheelers and light vehicles will face restrictions around the Dudheshwarnath Temple, specifically at Chaudhary Mod, Railway Road Cut, Bajariya, Hapur Tiraha, and Gaushala Gate.
Impact on Delhi Roads
Delhi will also see its share of traffic management for the pilgrimage. Authorities have implemented vehicle bans, one-way diversions, and no-entry zones on several key roads. Stretches expected to witness heavy pilgrim movement include:
- Wazirabad Road
- GT Road
- Loni Road
- NH-24
- Road No. 56
- Kalindi Kunj Road
- Mathura Road
- Ring Road (especially the ISBT Kashmere Gate stretch)
- Rani Jhansi Road
- Ridge Road
- Dhaula Kuan
A revised diversion plan is in place for the ISBT-Ghazipur border-Ring Road corridor. Motorists are strongly advised to avoid these areas, particularly from late evening to early morning, as one carriageway will be dedicated to pilgrims.
Meerut and Uttarakhand Travel Advisories
In Uttar Pradesh, the Ganga Canal road will mirror the restrictions of the Delhi-Haridwar Highway. The UP stretch of the Delhi-Meerut Expressway will be entirely shut to regular traffic from August 7 to August 12, with a dedicated lane reserved for Kanwariyas.
Travelers heading towards Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, or Haridwar are encouraged to utilize alternative routes such as the Eastern Peripheral Expressway (EPE), Delhi-Dehradun Expressway, NH-9, or other local diversion roads as notified by the traffic police.
Throughout the Kanwar Yatra period, green corridors will be maintained to ensure unhindered passage for emergency services like ambulances and fire tenders across all affected regions.