Ban on heavy vehicles on NH 58 and Delhi-Meerut Expressway from July 22

In view of the upcoming Kanwar Yatra in the month of Sawan, traffic will be restricted in a phased manner on National Highway 58 (NH 58) connecting Delhi to Haridwar and Delhi-Meerut Expressway (DME) from July 22 to August 4.

Meerut Zone Additional Director General of Police (ADG) Dhruv Kant Thakur on Thursday discussed the traffic plan for the Kanwar Yatra with SPs, ASPs and other officials of 14 districts of western UP, Uttarakhand, Haryana and Delhi and decided to ban the movement of heavy vehicles on NH 58 from July 22.

Talking to HT about the plan, the ADG said that from July 22, the movement of heavy vehicles will be stopped on NH 58 and Delhi-Meerut Expressway, while from July 25, light and medium vehicles will be allowed to ply only on the left side of NH 58 (while going from Delhi to Haridwar). He said that Shivratri festival is on August 2 and the influx of Kanwariyas on the roads will increase in the last week of July. Therefore, only light and medium vehicles will be allowed to ply on NH 58 between Haridwar and Meerut and from July 29 to August 4, all types of vehicles will be banned on NH 58 and Delhi-Meerut Expressway.

To ensure safe movement of pilgrims during the Kanwar Yatra, officials of the concerned districts have been instructed to prepare a route diversion plan.

Meanwhile, a WhatsApp group of 14 districts will be created to keep an eye on the huge crowd of Kanwariyas during the Yatra. Officials associated with this group will keep the officials of other districts updated so that adequate arrangements can be made accordingly.

The ADG said that strong security arrangements will be made to ensure the safety of Kanwariyas during the yatra. The state Chief Secretary and DGP will also hold a meeting with officials in Meerut on July 6 to review the preparations for the yatra.

Lakhs of devotees are expected to carry Kanwar from Haridwar and other places in Uttarakhand. They will reach their destination on foot from Haridwar and conclude their journey after offering Gangajal at Lord Shiva temples on Shivaratri on August 2.