The holy journey of Kanwar Yatra happens during Saawan month every year. But this time, the pilgrim rush caused a gridlock situation throughout Delhi NCR. Dive into this news story and learn all you need to know.
About Kanwar Yatra
The Kanwar Yatra is a pilgrimage journey carried out by devotees of Lord Shiva, who call themselves ‘Kanwarias.’ They collect the water of the Ganga River at Haridwar, Gaumukh, Gangotri, and Sultanganj. Devotees carry the water in bamboo yokes called ‘kanwars.’ It is then distributed at temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, such as:
Neelkanth Mahadev in Rishikesh
Kashi Vishwanath in Varanasi
Impact on Delhi NCR
Around 15-20 lakh pilgrims are currently passing through Delhi NCR to reach their destinations. Many of them have set up camps providing food and medical aid. The Kanwariyas, often walking barefoot, caused a gridlock in multiple districts such as South, East, South-east, and North Delhi. Noida and Faridabad have also been heavily impacted.
Remedial Measures
Road Diversions: Vikas Marg, NH-9, and Road No. 13 were offered as detours after important routes such as GT Road and Agra Canal Road were closed.
Traffic Staff: To manage crowds and traffic, additional police and PAC units were stationed at busy intersections.
Medical Camps: Along pilgrimage routes, ambulances and first-aid stations were erected.
Public Advisories: Helplines and social media were used to provide real-time updates and travel advisories.
Surveillance: The movement of the throng was tracked by CCTV and a control room in Noida.
Inter-State Coordination: To ensure prompt action, WhatsApp groups connected authorities in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan.