Kanwar Yatra 2026 Traffic Update: Commuters moving across Delhi-NCR, Ghaziabad and Meerut are advised to plan their trips carefully because authorities have put in major traffic restrictions for the ongoing Kanwar Yatra 2026. To ensure a safe flow of the lakhs of Kanwariyas, the Delhi-Meerut Expressway (DME) is shut for regular traffic on key stretches while several highways and other main arterials are seeing detours and vehicle curbs.
Delhi-Meerut Expressway Closure
Authorities have restricted traffic movement on parts of the Delhi-Meerut Expressway to ensure uninterrupted movement of Kanwar pilgrims. According to the latest advisory, traffic from the Dasna Interchange is being diverted towards Hapur, while additional diversions are in place depending on traffic conditions.
Roads Under Restrictions
Apart from the Delhi-Meerut Expressway, restrictions are also in place on several major routes, including:
- Parts of NH-44
- Outer Ring Road in Delhi
- Delhi-Haridwar corridor
- Key roads in Ghaziabad leading towards Dudheshwar Nath Temple
- Selected stretches of the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway for Kanwar-related movement.
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Kanwar Yatra 2026 Traffic Update: Alternate Routes
Traffic police have advised commuters travelling between Delhi, Ghaziabad, Meerut and Uttarakhand to use:
- NH-9
- Eastern Peripheral Expressway
Other designated diversion routes announced by local police based on destination.
To keep pilgrims separated from regular traffic, specific corridors have been allocated for Kanwariyas traveling on foot:
- 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
Delhi Traffic Police urged motorists to use public transport where feasible, avoid roadside parking to prevent bottlenecking, and check real-time traffic updates prior to departure.
Why the Restrictions Are in Place?
The Kanwar Yatra is one of Indias biggest yearly religious pilgrimages bringing in millions of devotees who carry Ganga water in holy vessels to Shiva shrines across North India. Every year there are special traffic arrangements put in place, so the travellers can move safely and to minimise the chances of accidents on the main highways.
