With the sacred Kanwar Yatra 2025 beginning today, the Delhi Traffic Police has issued an extensive traffic advisory for commuters across the National Capital Region (NCR). The annual pilgrimage, where devotees of Lord Shiva (Kanwariyas) collect holy Gangajal from the Ganga river and carry it back to their hometowns on foot, is expected to see lakhs of pilgrims traveling through and around Delhi in the coming days.

To maintain law and order and ensure smooth vehicular flow, authorities have rolled out traffic diversion plans, movement restrictions, and increased surveillance via drones. Commuters are advised to follow the Kanwar Yatra traffic advisory carefully to avoid congestion and delays.

What Is Kanwar Yatra?

The Kanwar Yatra is one of the biggest annual Hindu pilgrimages in North India, where saffron-clad devotees, known as Kanwariyas, walk or travel with decorated Kanwars (bamboo poles) to fetch Ganga water (Gangajal) and offer it at Shiva temples, especially on Shravan Mondays (Sawan Somwar).

The pilgrimage, spread across Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttarakhand, sees a surge in footfall and road traffic, especially in and around the NCR region.

Kanwar Yatra 2025 Delhi Entry Points

According to the Delhi Traffic Police, Kanwariyas are expected to enter Delhi through multiple routes and border points. The following roads will witness heavy Kanwar movement:

• Wazirabad Road

• GT Road

• Loni Road

• NH-24 (National Highway 24)

• Road Number 56

• Kalindi Kunj Road

• Mathura Road

• Ring Road

• ISBT Kashmiri Gate

• Rani Jhansi Road

• Ridge Road

• Dhaula Kuan

Traffic congestion is expected near these points, and commuters are advised to use alternate routes or plan travel during off-peak hours.

Areas Likely to Witness Heavy Traffic Jams

Several internal roads in Delhi are likely to experience severe traffic congestion due to Kanwar processions. These include:

• Nangloi–Najafgarh Road

• Firni Road, Rohtak Road, Madipur, Peeragarhi, Nangloi

• Madhuban Chowk, Mukarba Chowk, Keshopur Mandi

• Janakpuri, Pankha Road, Dev Prakash Shastri Marg

• Geeta Colony Pushta Road, Salimgarh Bypass, Indralok

• Outer Ring Road, Barf Khana Chowk, Azad Market

• Gokulpuri Flyover, 66 Foota Road, Maujpur Chowk

• Seelampur Metro Station, Welcome, Shahdara

These routes are either part of the Kanwar Yatra procession paths or are adjacent to major Kanwar camps. Expect temporary diversions and lane closures during peak hours.

Restricted Routes and Borders to Avoid

The Delhi traffic advisory for Kanwar Yatra 2025 also lists several routes and borders that should be avoided, especially during the peak hours of the day and late evenings when Kanwariyas travel in large groups.

 Roads to Avoid:

• Maharajpur Border or Ghazipur Border via Road No. 56 & Ghazipur Roundabout

• NH-24 and Ring Road through Badarpur Border

• Kalindi Kunj Road via Mathura Road

• ISBT Ring Road via Majnu Ka Tila

• Mukarba Chowk and NH-1 towards Singhu or Tikri Border

These areas are expected to remain heavily congested and may even see complete road closures during certain hours.

Border Points to Monitor

Kanwariyas are expected to enter Delhi from the following border checkpoints:

• Apsara Border

• Bhopura Border

• Loni Border

• Maharajpur Border

• Kalindi Kunj Border

• Ghazipur Border

• Chilla Border

Traffic police have been deployed at these borders, and surveillance drones will monitor Kanwar movement for real-time traffic control and safety.

Traffic Restrictions for Private Vehicles

Certain routes and highways will have partial or full restrictions for regular vehicles to ensure the safety of the Kanwar pilgrims.

Diversions include:

• Vehicles coming from NIB, Model Town, Chhijarsi, and Taj Highway and those using MP-01 elevated road may be diverted to the Eastern Peripheral Expressway (EPE).

• Traffic from Loni, Tulsi Niketan, Seemapuri, and Anand Vihar borders will not be allowed to enter Ghaziabad, to minimize disruption.

Commuters planning cross-border travel between Delhi and Ghaziabad or Delhi and Noida should anticipate delays and choose alternate expressways or metro rail when possible.

Security Measures in Place

The Delhi Police, in coordination with local authorities and state governments, has deployed thousands of personnel across the city. Key security measures include:

• Drone surveillance on Kanwar routes

• QR-code tagging for Kanwar camps and eateries

• Ban on sale of meat and alcohol near Kanwar camps

• Medical assistance booths and water stations at regular intervals

• Zero tolerance policy for unlawful assemblies or disruptions

Senior officials have assured that devotees’ safety is a top priority, and traffic arrangements will be flexible based on real-time crowd flow.

Guidelines for Commuters

If you’re traveling through Delhi during Kanwar Yatra 2025, here are a few tips:

1. Avoid peak Kanwar timings (early morning and late evening).

2. Use Delhi Metro for inner-city travel.

3. Stay updated with live traffic apps or Delhi Police’s social media handles.

4. Be cautious and give way to Kanwar processions.

5. Plan alternate routes using Outer Ring Road or Eastern Peripheral Expressway.

The Kanwar Yatra 2025 is not only a massive spiritual event but also a major logistical challenge for metropolitan regions like Delhi. While the Delhi Police’s traffic advisory aims to ease movement for both pilgrims and daily commuters, cooperation from the public is crucial.