50-minute chaos on Delhi-Meerut road: Ambulance with snakebite patient halted amid Kanwariya protest

An ambulance carrying a critical patient was stuck for nearly 50 minutes on the Delhi-Meerut road on Monday morning after a minor collision with a tractor-trolley carrying kanwariyas led to a protest. The incident occurred around 7 am when the ambulance, transporting a kanwar pilgrim from a Muradnagar health centre to Sanjay Nagar Hospital, brushed against the parked trolley.

Soon after, a group of pilgrims gathered, claiming that their kanwar and vehicle had been damaged, and blocked the road, bringing traffic to a halt.

Ambulance Delayed Despite Emergency

Traffic remained disrupted for close to an hour, with the ambulance unable to move despite carrying a patient in urgent need of care. Police eventually intervened, spoke to the protesters, and created a passage for the ambulance, which resumed its journey shortly after.

Police Response

Surendra Nath Tiwari, DCP (rural), said no injuries were reported in the collision. “The pilgrims alleged that their kanwar and tractor-trolley had been damaged. Police persuaded them to end the protest and normal traffic was restored. No complaint has been received in the matter,” he said.

Patient Condition and Medical Update

Chief medical officer Sachin Vaishya confirmed that the patient was a kanwariya suffering from a snakebite. “The ambulance driver was also injured and admitted for treatment. The snakebite patient was later referred to GTB Hospital,” he added.

Traffic Diversion Implemented Early

Following the disruption, authorities advanced a planned traffic diversion. A one-way system has now been enforced, with the Meerut-to-Ghaziabad carriageway reserved exclusively for kanwariyas, while regular vehicles are diverted to the opposite side. The arrangement will remain in place until August 12.

Varun Singh, ADCP, said, “One carriageway has been reserved for pilgrims and the other for vehicles. The arrangement will continue till Aug 12.”

Commuters Face Delays

The new traffic system led to long queues, with commuters reporting significant delays. Travel time for some nearly doubled due to congestion.

Further Restrictions Ahead

Authorities plan to tighten restrictions as pilgrim numbers increase. From August 7, the UP stretch of the Delhi-Meerut Expressway will be closed to general traffic for five days to manage the yatra, with vehicles diverted to alternate routes.

[With TOI inputs]