Road travellers to Haridwar, Rishikesh, Dehradun, or Saharanpur can anticipate lengthier journey times, detours, and potential increases in bus and taxi fares.
Expect delays if you intend to travel by bus or car to Haridwar, Dehradun, or other neighbouring locations within the next two weeks. For the yearly Kanwar Yatra, which starts on July 30 and ends on August 11, authorities in Delhi and western Uttar Pradesh have scheduled gradual traffic restrictions. There will be certain limitations in place until August 12. People who travel, particularly by road, between Delhi, Haridwar, Dehradun, and Saharanpur would be most affected.
The Delhi-Haridwar Highway will be closed to all traffic starting on August 4.
On August 4, the biggest limitation takes effect. On the Ganga Canal Road in the Muzaffarnagar district and the Delhi-Haridwar National Highway (NH-58), vehicle movement will be strictly prohibited. In order to facilitate Kanwariyas’ easy mobility, the closure will be in effect until August 12.
This implies that passengers travelling by road to Haridwar, Rishikesh, Dehradun, or Saharanpur should anticipate detours, lengthier journey times, and potential increases in bus and taxi fares.
The limitations will be implemented gradually. Diversions for heavy trucks will begin on the evening of July 29–30 in the Meerut zone. Heavy trucks will not be allowed on important highways in Muzaffarnagar starting on July 30. Private automobiles and other light and medium-sized vehicles will be subject to restrictions starting on August 4 and lasting until August 12.
Which Routes Will Be Changed for Travellers?
Alternative routes have been announced by the authorities to maintain traffic flow:
Before accessing the nation’s capital, vehicles heading from Haridwar and Saharanpur to Delhi would be rerouted through Deoband, Pachenda, Mirapur, and Mawana in Meerut. The same diversion will be used by traffic travelling in the other direction.
Police have recommended utilising the Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor for travellers from Delhi to Haridwar or Dehradun.
In order to allow regular pilgrims to continue utilising this passageway, authorities have discouraged Kanwariyas from doing so. During the diversion phase, officials anticipate a 25–30% increase in traffic on the route, particularly on weekends. Additionally, as officials have stated that diversions would be updated on Google Maps in real time, it is advisable to check live navigation before beginning.
Make a thorough plan if you’re going through Ghaziabad.
Phased limitations will also be implemented in Ghaziabad. The Eastern Peripheral Motorway, Ganga Motorway, and Delhi-Dehradun Motorway have previously been used to redirect heavy cargo vehicles arriving from the Delhi side.
Light commercial vehicles, private automobiles, tempos, and other passenger vehicles will also be subject to limitations starting on August 5. Both the pipeline road and the Ganga Canal embankment road will stay totally blocked. With the exception of Dak Kanwariyas, all traffic on the Delhi-Meerut Motorway will cease on 7 August.
Travellers headed to Uttarakhand and western Uttar Pradesh should account for additional travel time before departing for the Kanwar Yatra, one of the biggest yearly pilgrimages in north India, since there are several diversion plans and total highway closures.
