Delhi-Meerut Expressway to closed on these days for Kanwar Yatra in July: Check full traffic advisory on closure, diversions

The Delhi-Meerut Expressway (DME), a key route connecting Delhi, Noida, and Meerut, will be closed for five days from July 19 to facilitate the annual kanwar yatra. The restriction will affect regular traffic until July 23, Shivratri. The 56-kilometre stretch between the Kashi toll plaza in Meerut and UP Gate in Ghaziabad will be exclusively used by pilgrims.

Delhi-Meerut Expressway: Heavy vehicle restrictions from July 11

Traffic curbs will be implemented in two phases. Heavy vehicles will not be allowed on the route from July 11. Starting July 19, light vehicles and cars will also be restricted. The adjacent NH-9 will remain operational for regular vehicles. However, congestion is expected as more vehicles are diverted to this route.

No restrictions have been announced yet for the Delhi side of the expressway, but spillover congestion is anticipated in the capital due to the DME closure.

Alternate routes planned for diverted traffic

Authorities have prepared alternative routes to manage diverted traffic. ACP (traffic) Ziauddin Ahmad said, "Light vehicles from Meerut will need to take the Hapur route and then NH-9 to reach Ghaziabad and vice-versa. Heavy vehicles from Ghazipur will be redirected via NH-9 to Dasna and then Eastern Peripheral Expressway towards Meerut."

In 2023, similar diversions caused long delays on NH-9, with many vehicles forced to use the Eastern Peripheral Expressway, DND Flyway, and Noida Expressway.

Three major routes used by kanwariyas

Kanwar pilgrims take three key routes through Ghaziabad. Foot pilgrims mainly use Pipeline Road from Loni Border to Niwari. Dak kanwariyas prefer the Delhi-Meerut Expressway, while others use NH-34 via GT Road. The combined length of these routes in the city is around 150 kilometres.

Local traffic plan for Ghaziabad and nearby areas

Traffic diversions are also planned in surrounding regions. "Vehicles from Baghpat that are headed for Delhi will be routed via Tronica City and Sonia Vihar. Heavy vehicles will be restricted at the Loni border itself, and vehicles from Hapur-Bulandshahr towards Ghaziabad city will be diverted from Dasna Bridge," said ACP Ahmad.

He added that detailed route maps will be published across social media platforms to inform commuters about the diversion plan.

Enhanced security arrangements for the yatra

Alongside traffic management, security will be strengthened. Additional CP Alok Priyadarshi said, "More than 1,500 CCTV cameras will be installed across all three routes. We expect over 350 kanwar camps this year, up from 301 last year."

The security setup will divide the region into 120 beat areas. Each will be staffed by five police personnel and supervised by an ACP.

Another officer said that camp organisers have been asked to install at least four CCTV cameras at each camp. These will be monitored by a dedicated kanwar cell.