Kanwar Yatra: Key Highway Between Delhi and Meerut Shut for Pilgrims

Uttar Pradesh, July 29, 2024: In a significant move to ensure the safety of Kanwar pilgrims, Uttar Pradesh Police has closed a major highway connecting Delhi to Dehradun. The Delhi-Dehradun Highway, also known as NH-58, will be shut to all traffic from today until August 2, coinciding with the end of the Kanwar Yatra.

The decision aims to facilitate the smooth passage of Kanwar pilgrims heading to Haridwar and addresses recent incidents of violence involving vehicles hitting pilgrims. Both sides of NH-58 will be closed during this period, and motorists are advised to follow alternative routes provided by the police.

Traffic restrictions have also been implemented in areas such as Meerut and Ghaziabad. In Ghaziabad, the police will block vehicle entry from Kadrabad village in Modinagar to key points including Mohan Nagar, Loni Road, Link Road, and the UP-Delhi border up to Dilshad Garden.

The Delhi-Meerut Expressway is expected to remain unaffected by these restrictions. The tighter traffic control follows recent incidents where vehicles were vandalized by Kanwar pilgrims after accidents. Notably, on Saturday, a collision involving a vehicle and Kanwariyas in Muradnagar led to road blockages and protests on the Delhi-Meerut Expressway, causing significant traffic jams.

Authorities have implemented these measures as part of a broader plan to prevent such disturbances. Ghaziabad Police will also increase surveillance during the Kanwar Yatra.

The pilgrimage, which began on July 22, has seen over one crore Kanwar devotees visiting Haridwar to collect holy water from the River Ganges. Pilgrims are now returning to their hometowns via various highways.