The Delhi Police on Sunday issued a traffic advisory regarding the elaborate arrangements for the upcoming Kanwar Yatra, commencing on the first day of Sawan (Shravan) on Monday and cautioned that congestion is expected at several places.

The police cautioned that during this period, due to the movement of Kanwarias and setting up of Kanwaria camps on the side, traffic congestion or obstruction is likely to be experienced at several places.

 The Yatra will culminate on August 2 as holy Ganga water will be offered to Lord Shiva. “Every year during the Hindu lunar month of "Shravan " , devotees (Kanwarias) travel on-foot from Gau Mukh, Gangotri Dham and Haridwar carrying holy "Ganga Jal" for offering the same at Shiva Temples on "Shravan Shivratri",” the advisory by the Delhi Police stated.

It further stated, “The holy expedition called Kanwar Yatra commences on the first day of Sawan (Shravan) (Monday). It culminates on the Chaturdashi Tithi on August 2 as holy Ganga water will be offered to Lord Shiva.” As a result a large number of Kanwariyas reach Delhi and some of them go to Haryana & Rajasthan via Delhi borders and the expected number this year is about 15 to 20 lakh.

 The advisory said that during the period of the Kanwarias movement, traffic violations will be checked by on-the-spot prosecution and by photography or videography of violations. The devotees carrying Kanwars will pass through several routes, including Apsara Border, Shahdara Flyover, Seelampur 'T' Point, ISBT Flyover Boulevard Road, Rani Jhansi Road, Faiz Road, Upper Ridge Road, Dhaula Kuan, NH-8 and exit from Rajokri Border for Haryana, the advisory said.

The routes also include Bhopura Border, Wazirabad Road, Loni Flyover, Gokulpuri 'T' Point, 66 Foota Road, NH 1 and further towards new ISBT Bridge Entry and Exit from Loni Border to Loni Flyover from Uttar Pradesh or Entry and Exit from Sonia Vihar Border, Pusta Road, Khajoori Flyover, Wazirabad Road from Uttar Pradesh.

Further, it stated that the kanwar will also pass through Wazirabad Bridge, Outer Ring Road, Mukarba Chowk and exit and entry from Singhu Border or Mukarba Chowk, Bawana Road and exit and entry from Auchandi Border or Madhuban Chowk, Peeragarhi and exit and entry from Tikri Border for Haryana Maharajpur Border, Road No.56, Ghazipur Border, NH 2, RingRoad, Mathura Road and exit from Badarpur Border for Haryana. They will also pass through Kalindi Kunj, Mathura Road, Badarpur Border, Modi Mill, Maa Anand Mai Marg, M.B. Road, New Rohtak Road (from Kamal T-Point to Tikri Border) and Najafgarh Road (from Zakhira to Najafgarh)

To ensure a smooth yatra for the Kanwarias, heavy transport vehicles (HTV) will be diverted by the Uttar Pradesh Police from Mohan Nagar towards NH-24, and no such traffic will be allowed towards Wazirabad Road via Bhopura and towards GT Road via Apsra Border, the advisory read.

 The HTVs, except city buses, will not be allowed on GT Road towards Shahdra and Wazirabad Road. The heavy commercial transport vehicles, except city buses coming from GT Karnal Road at Outer Ring Road, will be diverted straight towards NH-24 and will not be allowed to move on Wazirabad Road and GT Road towards Shahadra, it said.

Generally, heavy traffic congestion occurs on Najafgarh Firni, Rohtak Road, Pankha Road, Outer Ring Road, Rani Jhansi Road from Baraf Khana Chowk to the fire station, Boulevard Road, Maujpur Chowk, Badarpur T-Point, Mathura Raod etc., the advisory said.

 Similarly, traffic congestion is likely to be experienced on NH-8 from Dhaula Kuan metro station up to Rajokri Border. Due to the diversion of vehicular traffic bound for the Apsara Border and Maharajpur Border to Ghazipur by UP Police, there will be congestion on NH-24 as well, the advisory mentioned.

Motorists and commuters are advised to plan their movement in advance to avoid inconvenience and delay. In addition to these important roads and intersections, Kanwarias movement will be observed in smaller numbers in several locations across Delhi, it said.

The traffic police have made elaborate arrangements to segregate the movement of Kanwrias and other commuters and to minimise inconvenience to the general public and devotees. The devotees and commuters are advised to follow the traffic rules and adhere to the directions of police, it added.