NEW DELHI: Delhi Traffic Police has issued a detailed traffic advisory ahead of the Kanwar Yatra beginning July 30, announcing restrictions on heavy vehicles and the closure of a key stretch of GT Road during the peak pilgrimage period.The Delhi Police has also stepped up security arrangements across the national capital with additional personnel, Quick Response Teams (QRTs), PCR vans and assistance camps deployed to ensure the safe and smooth movement of lakhs of Kanwariyas expected to pass through the city.The annual Kanwar Yatra will continue till August 11, during which lakhs of devotees carrying holy Ganga water from Gaumukh, Gangotri Dham and Haridwar are expected to travel through Delhi en route to destinations in the national capital, Haryana and Rajasthan.According to the Delhi Traffic Police’s Eastern Range advisory, the movement of Heavy Transport Vehicles (HTVs), except city buses, will remain restricted or diverted from July 30 to August 12 on GT Road between Apsara Border and Yamuna Bridge, Wazirabad Road from Bhopura Border to Signature Bridge, Vikas Marg, Asha Ram Tyagi Marg (Road No. 66), Pusta Road and Loni Road.The diverted heavy vehicles will be routed through designated alternate corridors, including NH-9 and NH-44, to ease congestion and facilitate the uninterrupted movement of Kanwar pilgrims.The traffic police said GT Road from Apsara Border to Yamuna Bridge will remain closed for general traffic from 7 am on August 9 till 8 pm on August 12 to accommodate the peak movement of Kanwariyas.The advisory also stated that the movement of Kanwariyas and Kanwar vehicles will not be permitted on the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway.“Commuters have been advised to plan their journeys, use alternate routes wherever possible, allow extra travel time while passing through affected stretches and follow directions issued by traffic personnel deployed on the ground,” the advisory read.The traffic police appealed to the public to stay updated through its official social media platforms for real-time advisories and cooperate with the arrangements to ensure the safe and peaceful conduct of the annual pilgrimage.Meanwhile, the Delhi Police has intensified security arrangements across the city, deploying additional personnel along major Kanwar routes passing through north, northeast, east, central, outer north, outer, Rohini, Dwarka, west, southwest and south districts.Senior police officers said elaborate security and traffic management plans have been put in place to ensure the safe passage of devotees entering Delhi from neighbouring states.Additional police personnel, Quick Response Teams (QRTs), PCR vans and pickets have been deployed at strategic locations, while assistance camps have been set up along the Kanwar routes to provide immediate help whenever required.“There are seven major entry points in northeast Delhi through which Kanwariyas enter the city. These routes also connect to several other districts, making them critical from both the security and traffic management perspectives. Adequate deployment has been made at all these locations,” a senior police officer said.The officer said Delhi Police has also held coordination meetings with police authorities of neighbouring states to ensure seamless movement of devotees and a prompt response to any emergency.“Our teams will not restrict themselves to jurisdictional issues. If assistance is required anywhere along the route, police personnel will respond immediately and coordinate with the concerned district,” the officer said.On Wednesday, senior officers of the Delhi Traffic Police inspected arrangements at Telco Point in Ghazipur and Chintamani Chowk in Shahdara, where they reviewed traffic management measures and interacted with personnel.Fire stations across the national capital have also been directed to remain on alert to tackle any emergency during the pilgrimage, police said.(With PTI inputs)
