Last update:
Road closures and special train services are already in place for Kanwar Yatra 2026. Here is a complete guide to help you travel smoothly.
Kanwar Yatra 2026: With thousands of Kanwariyas expected to travel during the Yatra, authorities have urged both pilgrims and regular travelers to check the latest train schedules, bus services and traffic advisories before leaving.
With the Kanwar Yatra 2026 underway, Indian Railways, state transport authorities and police departments across northern India have announced a slew of measures to facilitate the movement of thousands of kanwariyas while ensuring smooth traffic management for other commuters.
From special trains and expanded rail services to additional bus operations and traffic diversions in Ghaziabad, Muzaffarnagar and Mirzapur, authorities have advised both pilgrims and the general public to plan their trips carefully.
Northern Railway announces special trains for Kanwar pilgrims
To accommodate the increase in pilgrims traveling to Haridwar and Rishikesh, Northern Railway has announced operation and expansion of several train services.
The Delhi-Saharanpur MEMU will be extended to Haridwar from July 30 to August 14. The train will leave Delhi at 4:15 pm, reach Saharanpur at 8:50 pm, make a 20-minute halt and depart at 9:10 pm, reaching Haridwar at 10:50 pm via Roorkee and Jwalapur.
On the return journey, the train will leave Haridwar at 2 am, reach Saharanpur at 3:40 am, stop for 40 minutes and return to Delhi at 8:45 am.
DEMU Delhi-Shamli also expanded
The Delhi-Shamli DEMU will also operate up to Haridwar between July 30 and August 14.
The service will pass through Shamli, Thana Bhawan, Rampur Maniharan and Tapri, while train no. 74022 Shamli – Delhi DEMU will return from Haridwar via Jwalapur, Roorkee, Tapri, Rampur Maniharan and Shamli before reaching Delhi.
Special fair trains to operate
Northern Railway will also operate special Mela trains for Kanwar pilgrims.
- The Haridwar-Delhi Shahdara Special Fair via Tapri will run from July 30 to August 13.
- The special Yoganagari Rishikesh-Delhi Shahdara Fair via Tapri will be held from July 30 to August 14.
These services are expected to provide direct and convenient rail connectivity for devotees traveling to the holy cities during the pilgrimage season.
Haryana Roadways set to increase bus services
According to DI Jaipal Rathi, passenger traffic to Haridwar is currently normal and two Haryana Roadways buses ply daily from Ballabhgarh bus stand.
The first bus leaves at 5:30 am, while the second leaves at 8 pm.
The morning service returns from Haridwar at 11:30 am the same day, while the afternoon service leaves Haridwar at 7:30 am the next day. The fare remains unchanged at Rs 385 per passenger.
Officials said additional buses will be deployed as passenger demand increases during the peak days of the Kanwar Yatra.
Ghaziabad issues important traffic advisory
The Ghaziabad police have implemented an extensive traffic management plan in view of the expected influx of kanwariyas.
From 8am on July 29 to August 12, entry of heavy vehicles, including trucks, DCMs, tractors and similar vehicles, into Ghaziabad city will remain prohibited.
Heavy vehicles approaching from Delhi, Baghpat, Hapur and Bulandshahr will be diverted via Eastern Peripheral Expressway, NH-09 and Delhi-Dehradun Expressway.
The movement of heavy vehicles will also be prohibited in:
- Ganges Canal Way Kanwar Marg
- Pipe margin
- National Highway 34 (formerly NH-58)
- Delhi-Meerut Expressway
Restrictions on cars, automobiles and light commercial vehicles
From August 5 to 12, restrictions will also apply to passenger cars, vans, mini-vans, Tempos and other light commercial vehicles.
Vehicles will not be allowed to approach Dudheshwarnath temple from Railway Station Road, Kirana Mandi, Ramteeram Road, Ghantaghar, Bajariya Road and Delhi Gate.
Autorickshaw operations will remain suspended between:
- Seemapuri and Lal Kuan Border
- Mohan Nagar and Anand Vihar
Changes to bus operations
Starting August 5, road, private, city and electric buses will not be allowed to enter Ghaziabad city via Seemapuri and Tulsi Niketan border.
Buses arriving from Bulandshahr will terminate at Lal Kuan, while services arriving from Anand Vihar and Kaushambi will be diverted via alternative routes.
Special arrangements around Dudheshwarnath temple
To manage the large footfall expected around the famous Dudheshwarnath temple, entry of two-wheelers and light vehicles will continue to be prohibited:
- Mod Chaudhary
- Railway track cut
- would go down
- Hapur Tiraha
- Gaushala Gate
The authorities have also announced the creation of green corridors to ensure uninterrupted movement of ambulances and firefighters during emergencies.
Traffic personnel will remain deployed round the clock, while CCTV cameras and drones will monitor sensitive places.
Police have advised residents to check the latest traffic warnings before travelling, as detours may be modified depending on crowd conditions.
Muzaffarnagar restricts traffic on Delhi-Haridwar Expressway
Heavy vehicles on the Delhi-Haridwar National Highway and the Ganges Canal Highway will reportedly face restrictions from July 30. From August 4 to 12, all vehicles will be prohibited from using these routes to ensure safe movement of Kanwariyas.
An exclusive stretch of the Delhi-Haridwar national highway will remain reserved exclusively for Kanwar pilgrims during the Yatra.
Delhi-Meerut Expressway to close for five days
According to a report in NDTVTo facilitate the pilgrimage, the Uttar Pradesh stretch of the Delhi-Meerut Expressway (DME) will remain closed to vehicular traffic from August 7 to 12 (Shivratri).
Travelers heading from Delhi, Noida or Ghaziabad towards Meerut, Haridwar or Muzaffarnagar have been advised to use alternative routes.
Recommended alternatives include:
- Eastern Peripheral Expressway (EPE) via Dasna for long-distance travel.
- Delhi-Dehradun Expressway for commuters north from Delhi.
- NH-9 service and local lanes to travel towards Hapur and Bulandshahr.
- Ghaziabad internal roads including Mohan Nagar, Link Road and Hapur Road for local traffic.
Mirzapur implements detours until August 28
The Mirzapur district administration also introduced route diversions and no-entry orders from July 31 to August 28.
Heavy vehicles will continue to be prohibited from entering the city during the month of Sawanexcept those transporting essential supplies such as milk, petroleum products, school supplies and other emergency goods.
Detours have been announced on multiple routes, including Robertsganj Tiraha, Madihan, Bharuhana Chowki, Gaipura, Rajgarh Tiraha, Barkachha, Belan Baraudha, Tengra Mod and Shastri Bridge, to facilitate the movement of Kanwariyas.
Vehicles traveling from Prayagraj, Rewa, Rajgarh and Ghorawal will be diverted through designated alternative routes.
District magistrate Umesh Mishra said police divers would be deployed at the main bathing ghats along the Ganga canal highway, while a temporary police station has been set up at Rampur Tiraha on the Delhi-Dehradun national highway.
According to Senior Superintendent of Police Sanjai Kumar, the temporary police station will be headed by Sub-Inspector Subhash Chand, and around 20 policemen will be stationed there throughout the pilgrimage.
Authorities advise travelers to plan ahead
With thousands of Kanwariyas expected to travel during the Yatra, authorities have urged both pilgrims and regular travelers to check the latest train schedules, bus services and traffic advisories before leaving.
Authorities have also advised travelers to use designated detour routes, follow police instructions and allow additional travel time as traffic conditions may change depending on the movement of pilgrims.
Read more
