In light of the annual Kanwar Yatra 2026, the Muzaffarnagar district administration and police have announced a total ban on regular vehicular movement along the Delhi-Haridwar National Highway and the Ganga Canal road from August 4 to August 12. To ensure the safety of thousands of walking pilgrims (kanwariyas), restrictions on heavy commercial vehicles will take effect earlier, beginning July 30.Traffic Diversions and Highway RestrictionsThe traffic restrictions in Muzaffarnagar district are designed to manage the massive influx of pilgrims traveling on foot from Haridwar while carrying holy water from the River Ganges.Heavy Vehicle Restriction (July 30 – August 3): Trucks, commercial carriers, and heavy buses will be barred from using the Delhi-Haridwar National Highway (NH-34) and the parallel Ganga Canal road. Heavy traffic will be diverted onto alternate arterial routes via Shamli, Saharanpur, and Bijnor.Complete Highway Closure (August 4 – August 12): All regular vehicles—including private cars, two-wheelers, and light commercial vehicles—will be completely prohibited on the Delhi-Haridwar highway within Muzaffarnagar limits. The route will be reserved exclusively for kanwariyas.According to Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Atul Kumar Chaubey, designated corridors along NH-34 will be barricaded and monitored round the clock to prevent any unauthorized vehicular entry into the pilgrim paths.Enhanced Security and Safety MeasuresTo ensure seamless coordination and maintain law and order, local authorities have established dedicated security mechanisms across key transit points:Temporary Police Outpost: A temporary police station has been set up at Rampur Tiraha on the Delhi-Dehradun National Highway to manage local traffic diversions and security emergencies.Water Safety Teams: Police divers and rescue personnel will be stationed along major bathing spots along the Ganga Canal road to prevent accidental drownings during pilgrim rituals.Surveillance and Control Rooms: A 24x7 central control room, alongside aerial drone monitoring and extended CCTV coverage, will track crowd density and traffic flow across major junctions.Advisory for Commuters: Commuters traveling between Delhi NCR, western Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand (Dehradun, Mussoorie, and Rishikesh) are advised to avoid the NH-34 corridor between July 30 and August 12. Alternate routes via the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway (Baghpat–Shamli–Saharanpur) or rail services are strongly recommended during this peak pilgrimage period.Also Read :- Jagannath Bahuda Yatra 2026 Begins in Puri: Lakhs Join Return Journey of Lord Jagannath
