Kanwar Yatra: Traffic to take a hit in Noida and Ghaziabad from today; Check advisory here

As Kanwar yatris begin their journey, traffic is set to take a hit on key arterial roads of Noida and Ghaziabad from Saturday as restrictions and diversions come into effect. These curbs will be in force till the evening of August 5.

For those in Noida, two lanes exiting Delhi at the Kalindi Kunj border have been closed for traffic on a stretch between the Okhla barrage and the bird sanctuary to facilitate the movement of pilgrims. While in Ghaziabad, private cars and other light goods vehicles to Meerut will be diverted from the Delhi-Meerut Expressway (DME) through NH-9 and Hapur. Heavy vehicles are already not being allowed on the DME from July 22.

The Okhla restrictions will have a ripple effect on traffic on the other two lanes leading to Delhi, raising the possibility of long snarls during rush hours.


Security for Kanwar yatris:
Along with the teams of local police, Rapid Action Force (RAF), the district administration has also deployed commandos of Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) of Uttar Pradesh police along the Kanwar route to avoid any untoward incident. "ATS commandos have been posted at Shiv chowk in Muzaffarnagar where kanwariyas from Delhi, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and different districts of UP will pass while returning from Haridwar and performing parikrama. Sensitive places near Shiv Chowk have been handed over to ATS commandos to avoid any untoward incident," Senior Superintendent of Police Abhishek Singh told reporters on Saturday.

He said a team of RAF, six teams of PAC (Provincial Armed Constabulary) and ATS commandos have been deployed in the district for security.

Kanwar yatra began on July 22.