The annual Kanwar Yatra, drawing lakhs of Shiva devotees, commenced on July 30, 2026, leading to significant traffic disruptions across Delhi, western Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. Authorities have implemented phased traffic advisories and highway closures, which will remain in effect until August 12, impacting travel between Delhi, Ghaziabad, Meerut, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Dehradun, and Saharanpur.
Delhi Traffic Advisory for Kanwar Yatra 2026
The Delhi Traffic Police have issued warnings of severe congestion on several arterial roads due to the continuous movement of foot-pilgrims and the establishment of roadside Kanwar camps. Motorists are advised to avoid specific routes, including Najafgarh Phirni Road, Rohtak Road, Pankha Road, Dev Prakash Shastri Marg, Nangloi-Najafgarh Road, and sections of the Outer Ring Road.
Dedicated corridors have been allocated for Kanwariyas on foot to ensure their safety and manage traffic flow:
- Rohtak Road Corridor: Zakhira → Madipur → Peeragarhi Chowk → Nangloi Chowk → Mundka → Tikri Border
- Najafgarh Road Corridor: Zakhira → Uttam Nagar → Najafgarh Phirni Road → Jharoda Border
- Outer Ring Road Corridor: Madhuban Chowk → Peeragarhi Chowk → Keshopur Mandi → Janakpuri District Centre
- Dev Prakash Shastri Marg Corridor: Rattanpuri Chowk → Loha Mandi
Commuters are strongly urged to utilize public transport, avoid roadside parking to prevent bottlenecks, and consult real-time traffic updates before commencing their journeys. Passengers traveling to New Delhi Railway Station are advised to use the Paharganj entry instead of the Ajmeri Gate side to bypass heavy pilgrim crowds.
Ghaziabad & Western UP Implement Staggered Curbs
Ghaziabad, a critical transit hub for pilgrims, has instituted a multi-stage diversion strategy from July 29 through August 12:
- Heavy Commercial Vehicles: Banned from entering Ghaziabad from 8:00 AM on July 29 until August 12. Freight vehicles from Delhi, Baghpat, Hapur, and Bulandshahr are diverted via the Eastern Peripheral Expressway (EPE), NH-9, and the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway.
- Light Vehicles & Buses: From August 5, restrictions extend to light commercial vehicles, private cars, tempos, and buses. Inter-state and city buses arriving via Seemapuri Border and Tulsi Niketan will be prohibited, while buses from Bulandshahr will terminate at Lal Kuan. Auto-rickshaws on the Seemapuri Border–Lal Kuan corridor remain suspended.
- Complete Road Closures: The Ganga Canal embankment road and Pipeline Marg are closed to all unauthorized vehicular traffic.
- Delhi-Meerut Expressway (DME): Regular traffic on the DME will be halted starting August 7, with the corridor primarily open for Dak Kanwariyas.
- Local Restrictions: Vehicle movement around Dudheshwarnath Temple will be restricted at Chaudhary Mod, Railway Road Cut, Bajariya, Hapur Tiraha, and Gaushala Gate.
Dedicated green corridors are being maintained across all districts to ensure unhindered movement for ambulances and emergency services.
Uttarakhand & Major Highway Disruptions
The most significant highway disruptions are expected in Uttarakhand and upper western Uttar Pradesh:
- NH-58 & Ganga Canal Road Closure: The Delhi-Haridwar National Highway (NH-58) and Ganga Canal Road in Muzaffarnagar district will be closed to all vehicular traffic from August 4 through August 12.
- Rerouted Transit: Vehicles traveling between Haridwar/Saharanpur and Delhi are being diverted through Deoband, Pachenda, Mirapur, and Mawana in Meerut.
- Alternative Route for Commuters: Police have directed private cars and passenger traffic between Delhi, Haridwar, and Dehradun to use the Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor, which is off-limits to foot-pilgrims. Officials anticipate a 25 to 30 percent rise in traffic on this corridor during peak pilgrimage days.
Travellers heading toward Haridwar, Rishikesh, Dehradun, or Saharanpur should plan journeys well in advance and continuously monitor live navigation applications, as updated diversion plans are being fed to digital map platforms in real-time.