The police have announced the closure of the Delhi-Meerut highway for five days due to the Kanwar Yatra. This means the entire Ghaziabad stretch will be closed. Starting the night of July 28, the six lanes of the expressway from the UP Gate at the Delhi border to the Kashi toll plaza near the Meerut border will be shut down.
However, the adjacent NH-9 lanes will remain open. Police Commissioner Ajay Kumar Mishra mentioned that officials are working on a comprehensive traffic diversion plan for this period.
Last year, the police redirected traffic from the DME to NH-9, causing most vehicles to use the DND Flyway and Noida Expressway via the Eastern Peripheral Expressway. Mishra, quoted by TOI, said, "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, once ready, will be shared on social media platforms and other channels to avoid inconvenience to commuters."
During the Kanwar Yatra in Ghaziabad, devotees from UP districts and Delhi use these main routes to travel to Haridwar. Pedestrians often use Pipeline Road from the Loni border to reach Niwari. The Dak Kawariyas, who travel barefoot and are accompanied by relay runners in trucks and bikes, primarily use the DME. Many of them also use NH-34 via GT Road.
