Key roads in Delhi closed for Kanwar Yatra till July 23, traffic advisory issued

The Delhi Traffic Police have announced the closure of several important roads in the national capital until 8 AM on July 23 due to the heavy pilgrim movement during the last phase of the Kanwar Yatra. Special traffic restrictions have been put in place to ensure the safe passage of Kanwariyas, who are returning home after collecting holy water from the Ganga.

Left carriageway of GT Road closed

According to the advisory, the left carriageway of GT Road, stretching from the Keshav Chowk roundabout to Yudhishthir Setu (near ISBT), will remain closed to traffic from 8 AM on July 21 until 8 AM on July 23. This closure is aimed at managing the rush of Kanwariyas and ensuring their smooth movement.

The Kanwar Yatra sees lakhs of devotees walking or travelling with Ganga water to their hometowns. This causes heavy traffic congestion in Delhi and its neighbouring regions, prompting the authorities to enforce strict measures.

Major routes affected

In addition to GT Road, several other key routes will also remain closed during this period. These include:

• GT Road from Apsara Border to Shahdara

• Seemapuri to Apsara Border

• Anand Vihar to Apsara Border

The Delhi Traffic Police have also restricted the movement of vehicles from Swami Dayanand Marg to Keshav Chowk (towards GT Road) and from Pusta Road to Shastri Park. Commuters have been advised to avoid these stretches and use alternative routes.

Alternative routes for commuters

To reduce inconvenience, the traffic police have suggested alternate routes. Vehicles on Swami Dayanand Marg heading towards ISBT should use the Keshav Chowk underpass to reach Maujpur or take a U-turn at Shyam Chowk and travel via Vikas Marg or Master Plan Road to reach ISBT.

Vehicles coming from Seelampur T-Point can use Road No. 66 to connect to Wazirabad Road. Those coming from Dharampura T-Point can either continue on Road No. 66 or divert through Keshav Chowk underpass to reach Vikas Marg.

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Traffic from the Old Iron Bridge heading towards GT Road will be diverted via Kailash Nagar and Gandhi Nagar to the Pusta Road corridor. Vehicles from Shastri Park Pusta Road can join GT Road at Shastri Park and then continue to Road No. 66 or use the Keshav Chowk underpass to reach Vikas Marg.

Similarly, vehicles trying to access GT Road from Khajoori Chowk will be regulated and redirected to Wazirabad Road for onward travel to ISBT.

Appeal to commuters

The Delhi Traffic Police have urged commuters to plan their journeys in advance and avoid the restricted areas to prevent traffic jams. "Follow traffic diversions and cooperate with authorities during the Kanwar Yatra. Your support ensures the safety of both Kanwariyas and commuters," the advisory stated.

The police have also warned against unnecessary travel on these busy routes and recommended using public transport wherever possible.

The Kanwar Yatra is an annual pilgrimage that sees a massive turnout of devotees, especially during its concluding days. Many Kanwariyas travel on foot in groups, carrying decorated pots of holy water. To ensure their safety, the Delhi Traffic Police create special corridors and impose traffic restrictions.

The GT Road and other stretches in east and north-east Delhi are heavily used by Kanwariyas travelling from Haridwar to states like Rajasthan, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. Traffic diversions are essential to avoid accidents and overcrowding on these routes.

Significant traffic pressure is being observed at Delhi’s borders, especially near Anand Vihar, Seemapuri, and Apsara Border. Devotees carrying Ganga water are returning to their hometowns in places like Alwar, Rajasthan, which has led to major congestion points. Authorities are coordinating with neighbouring states to manage the movement of Kanwariyas.

Advisory for public and motorists

The Delhi Traffic Police have requested the public to:

• Avoid travelling on restricted roads during peak Kanwar hours.

• Use Metro services or public buses to reach their destinations.

• Follow all traffic instructions and diversions as announced.

• Keep track of live updates from the Delhi Traffic Police on X (formerly Twitter) for route changes.

Motorists have also been asked to maintain patience while driving near Kanwar camps and resting points set up along the highways.

Safety first during Kanwar Yatra

The police emphasised that these measures are aimed at maintaining safety and smooth traffic flow. With the pilgrimage reaching its peak, the next two days are expected to witness maximum rush.

Commuters who regularly travel via GT Road, Seemapuri, Shahdara, and Anand Vihar have been advised to take alternative roads or adjust their schedules to avoid delays.