Kanwar Yatra: 200 complaints linked to noise, traffic received over weekend; Delhi Police step up arrangements ahead of Shivratri

Indian Express

6 days ago

More than 200 calls about noise-related complaints and traffic grievances were received by the Delhi Police between Friday and Sunday due to the ongoing Kanwar Yatra, officers said. With the onset of Dak Kanwar, which refers to a fast-paced form of the annual pilgrimage, on Monday, police are now gearing up to tackle similar complaints in bigger volumes, officers added.
The East district, according to officers, received four to five noise-related complaints every day between Friday and Sunday. Most of these were from Pandav Nagar, Mayur Vihar, and Laxmi Nagar, among other areas. In view of the Dak Kanwar Yatra, 26 pickets will be in place in the East District to oversee security. 'Our dedicated personnel are deployed round-the-clock, working tirelessly to safeguard the Yatra and ensure smooth movement for all,' DCP (EAST) Abhishek Dhania said.
Similarly in the Southeast district, 650 personnel in over three shifts will conduct round-the-clock patrolling till July 23, when Mahashivratri is set to be celebrated, to manage the Kanwar camps and other security arrangements, DCP (South East) Hemant Tiwari said.
However, no calls of violence, fights or hooliganism were received over the weekend, a senior police officer said.
According to an advisory by the Delhi Police, multiple roads would be closed till July 23.
Sharing a traffic advisory on X, the Delhi Traffic Police wrote, 'Due to Kanwar Yatra arrangements, the following roads will be closed from July 21, 2025, 8:00 AM to July 23, 2025, 8:00 AM: 1. GT Road from Apsara Border to Shahdara 2. Seemapuri to Apsara Border 3. Anand Vihar to Apsara Border 4. GT Road to Vivek Vihar Underpass 5. Traffic from Swami Dayanand Marg to Keshav Chowk (towards GT Road) 6. Traffic from Pusta Road to Shastri Park.'
Suggesting alternative routes, the traffic police added, 'For traffic from Seemapuri to Apsara Border, use the underpass towards Road No. 56. For traffic from Anand Vihar to Apsara Border, use the underpass towards Seemapuri. For traffic on GT Road to Vivek Vihar, use the Apsara Border route and then Road No. 56. For traffic on Swami Dayanand Marg, use Vikas Marg or NH-9. For traffic on Pusta Road, use NH-9 or Ring Road.'
'Precautions Please plan your route accordingly and follow traffic guidelines to ensure a smooth journey,' the post read.
As per another advisory by Delhi Traffic Police, GT Road from Keshav Chowk Roundabout to Yudhistir Setu, ISBT (left carriageway) will remain closed from till 8 AM on July 23.
In the advisory, Delhi Traffic Police further underlined, 'Due to Kanwar Yatra Route arrangement, the following roads shall remain closed from 8 AM on 21.07.25 to 8 AM on 23.07.25. 1. G.T. Road from Keshav Chowk Roundabout to Yudhistir Setu, ISBT (left carriageway).'
'Alternative Routes – For traffic from SDN Marg towards ISBT, Keshav Chowk underpass may be used towards Moujpur or take U – turn from Shyam Chowk towards Swami Dayanand Marg, Vikas Marg or Master Plan Road for ISBT. For traffic from Seelampur, T- Point, Road No 66 may be used towards Wazirabad Road. For Traffic from Dharampura T-Point, traffic may take Road No. 66 up to Wazirabad Road or Keshav Chowk underpass towards Vikas Marg,' the X post added.
'For Traffic from Old Iron Bridge towards GT road, Pusta road towards Kailash Nagar, Gandhi Nagar may be taken. For Traffic from Shastri Park Pusta Road, GT Road from Shastri Park to Road No. 66 or up to Keshav Chowk Underpass towards Vikas Marg may be taken. Traffic shall be controlled towards GT road from Khajoori Chowk and diverted on Wazirabad road for ISBT,' the advisory further read.
The officials urged the public to follow the guidelines.