Kanwar Yatra 2025: Heavy vehicles banned on Delhi-Meerut Expressway – Detailed traffic plan

Delhi-Meerut Expressway (@theupindex / X)

The Ghaziabad traffic police and district administration have imposed strict traffic restrictions on heavy vehicles across Delhi-NCR, starting from 10 pm tonight to ensure smooth passage and safety for the annual Kanwar Yatra. These measures will remain in place until July 25, covering major routes like the Delhi-Meerut Expressway, Meerut Road, and New Link Road, according to a report by Jagran.

The movement of heavy vehicles on these roads will be completely restricted, and such vehicles will be diverted to the Eastern Peripheral Expressway. The Ghaziabad traffic police and district administration have worked together to create a detailed diversion plan to manage the surge in pilgrims and avoid congestion or accidents during the yatra period.

One-way routes and full restrictions by July 17

From July 14, Meerut Road and GT Road will be converted into one-way routes to streamline the flow of Kanwariyas. By July 17, vehicular traffic, including heavy vehicles, will be entirely restricted on the Delhi-Meerut Expressway and Meerut Road. These roads are commonly used by thousands of pilgrims walking towards Haridwar, carrying sacred Ganga water for rituals during the holy month of Shravan.

“From July 14, 12pm onwards, the light vehicles on the Delhi-Meerut road will be able to travel only on the Ghaziabad-Meerut carriageway. This carriageway would cater to incoming (Meerut-Ghaziabad) and outgoing (Ghaziabad-Meerut) traffic. The opposite side carriageway (Meerut to Ghaziabad) will be exclusively used for the movement of Kanwariyas. From 10pm on July 17, no movement of light vehicles will be permitted on any of the two carriageways,” HT quoted additional deputy commissioner of police (ADCP) (traffic), Sachchidanand, as saying.

Alternate routes

According to the diversion plan, heavy vehicles entering from the Delhi border, including Loni Border, Tulsi Niketan, Seemapuri, and Anand Vihar, will not be allowed into Ghaziabad city. Instead, they will be rerouted via Chaudhary Charan Singh Marg (Road No. 56), then pass through the UP Gate to reach Dasna Intersection via NH-9, and continue their journey through the Eastern Peripheral Expressway, Jagran reported.

Vehicles from Baghpat heading toward Delhi will now have to take the route through Sonia Vihar. Similarly, no heavy vehicles will be allowed entry from Loni Border into the Loni town area. Trucks and commercial vehicles coming from Hapur and Bulandshahr with Delhi as their destination will also be barred from entering Ghaziabad and must travel through NH-9.

Additionally, the movement of heavy vehicles has been prohibited on several critical stretches: from Santosh Medical Cut to New Link Road and Meerut Tiraha on NH-9, as well as routes via Gaur Green Cut, Khoda, Kala Patthar Road, Noida Sector-62, Chhijarsi, and Kanawani Pulia leading to Indirapuram. The Kanwar-dedicated paths such as Ganganahar track, Pipeline Road, Meerut Road, and the Delhi-Meerut Expressway will also remain out of bounds for large vehicles.

Vehicles traveling via the Eastern Peripheral Expressway from Kundli or Palwal will not be allowed to exit at Duhai to access Meerut Road. Likewise, no heavy vehicles will be allowed from Hapur or Bhojpur towards Modinagar. Movement from Sahibabad underpass to GT Road is also entirely restricted.

Exceptions

However, exceptions will be made for vehicles transporting essential commodities such as food, medicine, and fuel. Special permissions may be granted after assessing the ground situation and the volume of Kanwar pilgrims in the area.

Officials have stated that the traffic plan is flexible and may be revised as needed. In case of any emergency, the Delhi-Meerut Expressway could still be opened as an alternate emergency route.