GHAZIABAD: Traffic to and from Delhi will see disruptions this month-end with police deciding to close almost the entire Ghaziabad stretch of Delhi-Meerut Expressway for the kanwar yatra.
All six lanes of the speedway will be off bounds for traffic from UP Gate on the Delhi border to Kashi toll plaza near Meerut border for at least five days from July 28 night, sources said on Tuesday. The adjacent NH-9 lanes will, however, remain open.
Police commissioner Ajay Kumar Mishra said the authorities are drawing up a comprehensive traffic diversion plan for this period.
Last year too, cops had briefly diverted traffic from the DME, leading to traffic jams on NH-9. Most vehicles were diverted via Eastern Peripheral Expressway, DND Flyway and Noida Expressway.
In Ghaziabad, three routes are used by pilgrims from neighbouring UP districts and Delhi to reach Haridwar. Pilgrims who undertake the yatra on foot mostly use Pipeline Road from Loni Border to Niwari. Dak kanwariyas, who cover the distance barefoot and sprint with a team of relay runners following them in trucks or bikes, mostly use DME. A large number of kanwariyas also use NH-34 via GT Road.
"Last year, we observed that most of the dak kanwariyas used DME. Therefore, this year, we will allow them to use DME and will divert other vehicles. A diversion plan when ready will be shared on social media platforms and other channels to avoid inconvenience to commuters," Mishra said.
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