Kanwar Yatra Curbs: Traffic Likely to Be Hit in Noida, Ghaziabad From Today. Check Routes to Avoid

New Delhi: In view of Kanwar Yatra, traffic arrangements and restrictions have come up in several areas in the Delhi-NCR which is likely to affect the traffic flow in the region starting Saturday. Vehicular traffic is set to take a hit on key routes in Noida and Ghaziabad from today. These traffic curbs will remain under effect till the evening of Aug 5.

Traffic curbs in Noida

In Noida, two Delhi-bound lanes at the Kalindi Kunj border have been shut for traffic on a stretch between the Okhla barrage and the bird sanctuary to facilitate the movement of Kanwariyas (pilgrims).

Traffic curbs in Ghaziabad

Whereas in Ghaziabad, private cars and other light goods vehicles en route Meerut will be diverted from the Delhi-Meerut Expressway (DME) through NH-9 and Hapur. Heavy vehicles are already prohibited on the DME from July 22.

A three-phase diversion plan has been planned for Ghaziabad to facilitate the smooth movement of pilgrims. While heavy vehicles have been barred on DME from July 22, cars and light goods will be diverted from the speedway from Saturday. The entire expressway will be blocked only for pilgrims from Monday, aggravating the traffic woes.

The Okhla restrictions will have a cascading impact on traffic on the other two Delhi-bound lanes, which may lead to long snarls during rush hours.

The 4km stretch – which spans from Mayur Vihar and Kalindi Kunj – crosses through a Shani temple, where pilgrims headed for Delhi and Faridabad take a pause while on their way back from Haridwar.

Earlier on Friday, police had placed barricades to restrict vehicular movement on the Delhi-Noida lanes.

More traffic curbs likely

According to police, vehicular movement on Gangnahar Patri Kanwar Road and Pipeline Road, the two lanes used by pilgrims every year to reach Haridwar, will be completely restricted.

Vehicles travelling from Mohan Nagar, Meerut trisection, Raj Nagar Extension and Hapur Chungi towards Meerut through NH-34 will be diverted to a single lane till July 29. Thereafter, vehicular movement on the route will be restricted till Aug 5.

Apart from traffic curbs, police will also allow kanwar camps off certain roads. Police said that till Friday, permission had been given for 264 such camps.