In preparation for the annual Kanwar Yatra, the district administration has ordered the closure of all schools and educational institutions in Ghaziabad from July 29 to August 2. The decision, announced by Dharmendra Sharma, the district inspector of schools, aims to manage the influx of devotees expected to converge at the Dudheshwar Nath temple. No similar closures have been reported in Noida as of late Saturday evening.
The Kanwar Yatra, a significant religious pilgrimage, is anticipated to draw lakhs of devotees from across Uttar Pradesh to the Dudheshwar Nath temple, particularly on Shivratri, August 2. The district magistrate’s order mandates the closure of all schools and higher educational institutions along the pilgrimage route to ensure safety and manage crowds. Sharma emphasized that any institutions violating this directive will face penalties.
In addition to school closures, traffic measures are being implemented to accommodate the surge in pilgrims. Private cars and light goods vehicles traveling towards Meerut will be diverted from the Delhi-Meerut Expressway (DME) through NH-9 and Hapur. In Noida, two lanes at the Kalindi Kunj border, exiting Delhi, have been closed from the Okhla barrage to the bird sanctuary, potentially causing traffic delays. These restrictions will remain in place until August 5.
To ensure the safety and security of the pilgrims, more than 40 CCTV cameras and drones will monitor the Dudheshwar Nath temple area. Around 200 police officers will be deployed on-site, and a special 25-member cycling squad has been formed for crowd control and intelligence gathering. This team may be expanded as needed.
The police have also set up camps to assist pilgrims and manage the anticipated crowds. However, commuters in the affected areas are advised to plan for potential delays and disruptions due to the restrictions and diversions. As the Kanwar Yatra progresses, authorities will continue to monitor the situation and implement necessary measures to ensure the safety and smooth conduct of the pilgrimage.