Kanwar Yatra 2026: Railways, States Roll Out Special Transport; Traffic Diversions in Place

Kanwar Yatra 2026: Special Trains, Extra Buses and Traffic Restrictions Across North India

With the Kanwar Yatra 2026 in full swing, authorities across northern India have introduced special train and bus services, along with extensive traffic diversions, to facilitate the movement of lakhs of Kanwariyas. Indian Railways, state transport departments and local police have advised both pilgrims and regular commuters to check the latest travel advisories before setting out, as several routes will remain restricted during the pilgrimage.

Northern Railway Adds Special Train Services

To handle the festive rush, Northern Railway has extended two passenger train services to Haridwar between July 30 and August 14. The Delhi–Saharanpur MEMU will now operate up to Haridwar, departing Delhi at 4:15 pm and reaching the holy city at 10:50 pm via Roorkee and Jwalapur. The return service will leave Haridwar at 2 am and arrive in Delhi at 8:45 am.

Similarly, the Delhi–Shamli DEMU has also been extended to Haridwar during the same period, operating via Shamli, Thana Bhawan, Rampur Maniharan and Tapri before returning to Delhi along the same route.

In addition, Northern Railway will run two special Mela trains:

Haridwar–Delhi Shahdara Fair Special (via Tapri): July 30 to August 13
Yoganagari Rishikesh–Delhi Shahdara Fair Special (via Tapri): July 30 to August 14

The additional services are aimed at easing passenger congestion and providing better connectivity for devotees travelling to Haridwar and Rishikesh.

Haryana Roadways to Deploy More Buses

Haryana Roadways has said it will increase bus services if passenger demand rises during the Yatra. Currently, two buses operate daily between Ballabhgarh and Haridwar, departing at 5:30 am and 8 pm. The fare remains Rs 385, and officials said more buses will be added as the number of pilgrims increases.

Ghaziabad Announces Major Traffic Curbs

Ghaziabad Police has issued an elaborate traffic advisory that will remain in force until August 12. Heavy vehicles—including trucks, tractor-trolleys and DCMs—will not be allowed to enter the city and will instead be diverted through the Eastern Peripheral Expressway, NH-9 and the Delhi–Dehradun Expressway.

Restrictions will also apply on the Ganga Canal Kanwar Marg, Pipeline Marg, NH-34 and the Delhi–Meerut Expressway.

From August 5, additional curbs will come into force for cars, pickups, mini-trucks, tempos and other light commercial vehicles on roads leading to Dudheshwarnath Temple. Auto-rickshaw services will also remain suspended on selected stretches, while city and private buses entering through Seemapuri Border and Tulsi Niketan will be diverted.

Authorities have also created green corridors for ambulances and fire services, while CCTV surveillance, drone monitoring and round-the-clock police deployment will be in place at sensitive locations.

Restrictions in Muzaffarnagar

Muzaffarnagar district has also imposed traffic restrictions on the Delhi–Haridwar National Highway and the Ganga Canal Road.

Heavy vehicles will face restrictions from July 30, while from August 4 to August 12, general vehicular movement will be prohibited on these routes. A dedicated lane on the Delhi–Haridwar highway will remain reserved exclusively for Kanwar pilgrims.

Delhi–Meerut Expressway to Remain Closed

According to reports, the Uttar Pradesh stretch of the Delhi–Meerut Expressway (DME) will remain closed to regular traffic from August 7 to August 12 on account of the pilgrimage. Motorists travelling towards Meerut, Haridwar and Muzaffarnagar have been advised to use the Eastern Peripheral Expressway, Delhi–Dehradun Expressway, NH-9 and designated local roads in Ghaziabad as alternative routes.

Mirzapur Imposes Month-Long Diversions

The Mirzapur administration has announced route diversions and no-entry orders from July 31 to August 28 during the month of Sawan.

Heavy vehicles, except those carrying essential commodities and emergency supplies, will not be allowed into the city. Diversions have been implemented on several major routes, while police personnel, including divers at key bathing ghats, have been deployed to ensure the safety of pilgrims.

A temporary police station has also been established at Rampur Tiraha on the Delhi–Dehradun National Highway to monitor the Yatra.

Travellers Advised to Plan Ahead

With lakhs of devotees expected to participate in the Kanwar Yatra over the coming days, authorities have urged travellers to verify train timings, bus schedules and local traffic advisories before beginning their journeys. Officials have also appealed to commuters to follow diversion routes, cooperate with traffic personnel and allow extra travel time, as restrictions may be revised depending on crowd movement and security requirements.