With the Kanwar Yatra 2026 underway, Indian Railways, state transport authorities and police departments across northern India have announced a series of measures to facilitate the movement of lakhs of Kanwariyas
while ensuring smooth traffic management for other commuters.
From special trains and extended rail services to additional bus operations and traffic diversions in Ghaziabad, Muzaffarnagar and Mirzapur, authorities have advised both pilgrims and the general public to plan their journeys carefully.
Northern Railway Announces Special Trains For Kanwar Pilgrims
To accommodate the surge in pilgrims travelling to Haridwar and Rishikesh, Northern Railway has announced the operation and extension of several train services.
The Delhi-Saharanpur MEMU will be extended to Haridwar from July 30 to August 14. The train will depart Delhi at 4:15 pm, reach Saharanpur at 8:50 pm, halt for 20 minutes, and leave at 9:10 pm, arriving in Haridwar at 10:50 pm via Roorkee and Jwalapur.
On the return journey, the train will depart Haridwar at 2 am, reach Saharanpur at 3:40 am, halt for 40 minutes, and arrive back in Delhi at 8:45 am.
Delhi-Shamli DEMU Also Extended
The Delhi-Shamli DEMU will also operate up to Haridwar between July 30 and August 14.
The service will run via Shamli, Thana Bhawan, Rampur Maniharan and Tapri, while Train No. 74022 Shamli–Delhi DEMU will return from Haridwar through Jwalapur, Roorkee, Tapri, Rampur Maniharan and Shamli before reaching Delhi.
Special Fair Trains To Operate
Northern Railway will also run special Mela trains for Kanwar pilgrims.
- Haridwar-Delhi Shahdara Fair Special via Tapri will operate from July 30 to August 13.
- Yoganagari Rishikesh-Delhi Shahdara Fair Special via Tapri will run from July 30 to August 14.
These services are expected to provide direct and convenient rail connectivity for devotees travelling to the holy cities during the pilgrimage season.
Haryana Roadways Ready To Increase Bus Services
According to DI Jaipal Rathi, passenger traffic to Haridwar is currently normal, and two Haryana Roadways buses are operating daily from Ballabhgarh Bus Stand.
The first bus departs at 5:30 am, while the second leaves at 8 pm.
The morning service returns from Haridwar at 11:30 am on the same day, while the evening service departs Haridwar at 7:30 am the following morning. The fare remains unchanged at Rs 385 per passenger.
Officials said additional buses will be deployed as passenger demand increases during the peak days of the Kanwar Yatra.
Ghaziabad Issues Major Traffic Advisory
The Ghaziabad Police has implemented an extensive traffic management plan in view of the expected influx of Kanwariyas.
From 8 am on July 29 until August 12, the entry of heavy goods vehicles, including trucks, DCMs, tractor-trolleys and similar vehicles, into Ghaziabad city will remain prohibited.
Heavy vehicles approaching from Delhi, Baghpat, Hapur and Bulandshahr will be diverted via the Eastern Peripheral Expressway, NH-09 and the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway.
Heavy vehicle movement will also remain prohibited on:
- Ganga Canal Track Kanwar Marg
- Pipeline Marg
- National Highway 34 (formerly NH-58)
- Delhi-Meerut Expressway
Restrictions On Cars, Autos And Light Commercial Vehicles
From August 5 to August 12, restrictions will also apply to cars, pickups, mini-trucks, tempos and other light commercial vehicles.
Vehicles approaching Dudheshwarnath Temple from Railway Station Road, Kirana Mandi, Ramteeram Road, Ghantaghar, Bajariya Road and Delhi Gate will not be permitted.
Auto-rickshaw operations will remain suspended between:
- Seemapuri Border and Lal Kuan
- Mohan Nagar and Anand Vihar
Changes To Bus Operations
Beginning August 5, roadways, private, city and electric buses will not be allowed to enter Ghaziabad city through Seemapuri Border and Tulsi Niketan.
Buses arriving from Bulandshahr will terminate at Lal Kuan, while services approaching from Anand Vihar and Kaushambi will be diverted via alternative routes.
Special Arrangements Around Dudheshwarnath Temple
To manage the heavy footfall expected around the famous Dudheshwarnath Temple, the entry of two-wheelers and light vehicles will remain prohibited from:
- Chaudhary Mod
- Railway Road Cut
- Bajariya
- Hapur Tiraha
- Gaushala Gate
Authorities have also announced the creation of green corridors to ensure uninterrupted movement of ambulances and fire services during emergencies.
Traffic personnel will remain deployed round the clock, while CCTV cameras and drones will monitor sensitive locations.
Police have advised residents to check the latest traffic advisory before travelling, as diversions may be modified depending on crowd conditions.
Muzaffarnagar Restricts Traffic On Delhi–Haridwar Highway
According to reports, heavy vehicles on the Delhi-Haridwar National Highway and the Ganga Canal Road will face restrictions from July 30. From August 4 to August 12, all vehicles will be prohibited from using these routes to ensure the safe movement of Kanwariyas.
A dedicated stretch of the Delhi-Haridwar National Highway will remain reserved exclusively for Kanwar pilgrims during the Yatra.
Delhi-Meerut Expressway To Close For Five Days
According to a report in NDTV, to facilitate the pilgrimage, the Uttar Pradesh section of the Delhi-Meerut Expressway (DME) will remain closed to vehicular traffic from August 7 until August 12 (Shivratri).
Travellers heading from Delhi, Noida or Ghaziabad towards Meerut, Haridwar or Muzaffarnagar have been advised to use alternative routes.
Recommended alternatives include:
- Eastern Peripheral Expressway (EPE) via Dasna for long-distance travel.
- Delhi-Dehradun Expressway for commuters travelling north from Delhi.
- NH-9 service and local lanes for travel towards Hapur and Bulandshahr.
- Internal Ghaziabad roads, including Mohan Nagar, Link Road and Hapur Road, for local traffic.
Mirzapur Implements Diversions Till August 28
The Mirzapur district administration has also introduced route diversions and no-entry orders from July 31 to August 28.
Heavy vehicles will remain barred from entering the city during the month of Sawan, except those carrying essential supplies such as milk, petroleum products, school materials and other emergency goods.
Diversions have been announced on multiple routes, including Robertsganj Tiraha, Madihan, Bharuhana Chowki, Gaipura, Rajgarh Tiraha, Barkachha, Belan Baraudha, Tengra Mod and Shastri Bridge, to facilitate the movement of Kanwariyas.
Vehicles travelling from Prayagraj, Rewa, Rajgarh and Ghorawal will be diverted through designated alternative routes.
District Magistrate Umesh Mishra said police divers would be deployed at major bathing ghats along the Ganga Canal Road, while a temporary police station has beenestablished at Rampur Tiraha on the Delhi-Dehradun National Highway.
According to Senior Superintendent of Police Sanjai Kumar, the temporary police station will be headed by Sub-Inspector Subhash Chand, with around 20 police personnel stationed there throughout the pilgrimage.
Authorities Advise Travellers To Plan Ahead
With lakhs of Kanwariyas expected to travel during the Yatra, authorities have urged both pilgrims and regular commuters to check the latest train schedules, bus services and traffic advisories before setting out.
Officials have also advised travellers to use designated diversion routes, follow police instructions and allow extra travel time, as traffic arrangements may change depending on the movement of pilgrims.
