Kanwar Yatra 2024: Delhi-Dehradun Expressway barred for pilgrims
Uttarakhand has barred Kanwar pilgrims from using the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway during the yatra. The move is part of a joint multi-state plan to tighten security, traffic control and crowd management.
The Kanwar Yatra 2026 will take place from July 30 to August 11, and the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway will remain off-limits for Kanwar pilgrims, Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan has announced. The decision was taken during an inter-state coordination meeting, where officials from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and several other states were asked to make advance arrangements to ensure the restriction is implemented smoothly. The annual pilgrimage sees millions of devotees collect holy Ganga water from Haridwar and carry it to temples across different states.
EXPRESSWAY TO REMAIN CLOSED FOR KANWARIYAS
Bardhan directed officials from Delhi and Uttar Pradesh to enforce the restriction on the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway throughout the pilgrimage. He said the measure is part of a broader traffic management plan aimed at ensuring the smooth movement of both pilgrims and regular commuters during the yatra.
FOCUS ON SAFETY AND COORDINATION
Calling the Kanwar Yatra one of India's largest religious gatherings, Bardhan stressed that close coordination between participating states is essential for its smooth conduct. He asked all agencies to complete preparations on time, remain alert throughout the event and give top priority to the safety and convenience of pilgrims.
Senior officials from Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh attended the meeting, along with representatives of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Sashastra Seema Bal, Central Reserve Police Force, Railway Protection Force and National Disaster Response Force.
STRICT SECURITY MEASURES PLANNED
Officials decided to implement a common action plan with a system for quick information sharing and joint monitoring. Joint check-posts and barriers will also be set up along Uttarakhand's borders in coordination with neighbouring states.
Bardhan instructed authorities to ensure that every Kanwar pilgrim carries a valid identity card. He also directed officials to strictly enforce the ban on carrying lethal weapons and other prohibited items during the pilgrimage.
PILGRIM RUSH EXPECTED FROM AUGUST 5
Haridwar District Magistrate Mayur Dixit informed the meeting that the Panchak period will be observed from July 31 to August 4, while a sharp increase in the number of pilgrims is expected from August 5 onwards.
Haridwar Senior Superintendent of Police Navneet Singh Bhullar presented detailed plans covering security, crowd management, traffic diversions, parking arrangements, joint monitoring and the integrated command and control system for the yatra.
MULTIPLE AGENCIES TO WORK TOGETHER
The meeting concluded with participating states agreeing to strengthen coordination and maintain constant communication throughout the Kanwar Mela. Officials said the combined efforts are aimed at ensuring safe travel, effective crowd management and the smooth conduct of one of the country's biggest annual religious pilgrimages.
The Kanwar Yatra 2026 will take place from July 30 to August 11, and the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway will remain off-limits for Kanwar pilgrims, Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan has announced. The decision was taken during an inter-state coordination meeting, where officials from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and several other states were asked to make advance arrangements to ensure the restriction is implemented smoothly. The annual pilgrimage sees millions of devotees collect holy Ganga water from Haridwar and carry it to temples across different states.
EXPRESSWAY TO REMAIN CLOSED FOR KANWARIYAS
Bardhan directed officials from Delhi and Uttar Pradesh to enforce the restriction on the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway throughout the pilgrimage. He said the measure is part of a broader traffic management plan aimed at ensuring the smooth movement of both pilgrims and regular commuters during the yatra.
FOCUS ON SAFETY AND COORDINATION
Calling the Kanwar Yatra one of India's largest religious gatherings, Bardhan stressed that close coordination between participating states is essential for its smooth conduct. He asked all agencies to complete preparations on time, remain alert throughout the event and give top priority to the safety and convenience of pilgrims.
Senior officials from Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh attended the meeting, along with representatives of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Sashastra Seema Bal, Central Reserve Police Force, Railway Protection Force and National Disaster Response Force.
STRICT SECURITY MEASURES PLANNED
Officials decided to implement a common action plan with a system for quick information sharing and joint monitoring. Joint check-posts and barriers will also be set up along Uttarakhand's borders in coordination with neighbouring states.
Bardhan instructed authorities to ensure that every Kanwar pilgrim carries a valid identity card. He also directed officials to strictly enforce the ban on carrying lethal weapons and other prohibited items during the pilgrimage.
PILGRIM RUSH EXPECTED FROM AUGUST 5
Haridwar District Magistrate Mayur Dixit informed the meeting that the Panchak period will be observed from July 31 to August 4, while a sharp increase in the number of pilgrims is expected from August 5 onwards.
Haridwar Senior Superintendent of Police Navneet Singh Bhullar presented detailed plans covering security, crowd management, traffic diversions, parking arrangements, joint monitoring and the integrated command and control system for the yatra.
MULTIPLE AGENCIES TO WORK TOGETHER
The meeting concluded with participating states agreeing to strengthen coordination and maintain constant communication throughout the Kanwar Mela. Officials said the combined efforts are aimed at ensuring safe travel, effective crowd management and the smooth conduct of one of the country's biggest annual religious pilgrimages.
The Kanwar Yatra 2026 will take place from July 30 to August 11, and the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway will remain off-limits for Kanwar pilgrims, Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan has announced. The decision was taken during an inter-state coordination meeting, where officials from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and several other states were asked to make advance arrangements to ensure the restriction is implemented smoothly. The annual pilgrimage sees millions of devotees collect holy Ganga water from Haridwar and carry it to temples across different states.
EXPRESSWAY TO REMAIN CLOSED FOR KANWARIYAS
Bardhan directed officials from Delhi and Uttar Pradesh to enforce the restriction on the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway throughout the pilgrimage. He said the measure is part of a broader traffic management plan aimed at ensuring the smooth movement of both pilgrims and regular commuters during the yatra.
FOCUS ON SAFETY AND COORDINATION
Calling the Kanwar Yatra one of India's largest religious gatherings, Bardhan stressed that close coordination between participating states is essential for its smooth conduct. He asked all agencies to complete preparations on time, remain alert throughout the event and give top priority to the safety and convenience of pilgrims.
Senior officials from Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh attended the meeting, along with representatives of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Sashastra Seema Bal, Central Reserve Police Force, Railway Protection Force and National Disaster Response Force.
STRICT SECURITY MEASURES PLANNED
Officials decided to implement a common action plan with a system for quick information sharing and joint monitoring. Joint check-posts and barriers will also be set up along Uttarakhand's borders in coordination with neighbouring states.
Bardhan instructed authorities to ensure that every Kanwar pilgrim carries a valid identity card. He also directed officials to strictly enforce the ban on carrying lethal weapons and other prohibited items during the pilgrimage.
PILGRIM RUSH EXPECTED FROM AUGUST 5
Haridwar District Magistrate Mayur Dixit informed the meeting that the Panchak period will be observed from July 31 to August 4, while a sharp increase in the number of pilgrims is expected from August 5 onwards.
Haridwar Senior Superintendent of Police Navneet Singh Bhullar presented detailed plans covering security, crowd management, traffic diversions, parking arrangements, joint monitoring and the integrated command and control system for the yatra.
MULTIPLE AGENCIES TO WORK TOGETHER
The meeting concluded with participating states agreeing to strengthen coordination and maintain constant communication throughout the Kanwar Mela. Officials said the combined efforts are aimed at ensuring safe travel, effective crowd management and the smooth conduct of one of the country's biggest annual religious pilgrimages.
