Kanwar Yatra 2026: Delhi Traffic Police Issues Advisory On Route Diversions
Due to the Kanwar Yatra, the Delhi Traffic Police completely closed the Shahdara GT Road to general traffic on Sunday. The route from Apsara Border to Kashmere Gate was closed.
New Delhi: Delhi traffic police has issued a major update. As per a tweet by them, traffic will be impacted in Kalindi Kunj junction area till August 12, 2026 as there is a heavy influx of Kanwariyas taking part in the current Kanwar Yatra and the repair work of the road in Okhla barrage-Kalindi Kunj road.
What happen on Sunday?
Due to the Kanwar Yatra, the Delhi Traffic Police completely closed the Shahdara GT Road to general traffic on Sunday. The route from Apsara Border to Kashmere Gate was closed. This caused traffic jams on several roads, including Anand Vihar, Seemapuri, Wazirabad Road, Vivek Vihar, Shahdara, Swami Dayanand Marg, and Loni Road. It took drivers half an hour to cover a five-minute journey.
Where the route is diverted?
Before leaving home on Monday, people should know where the police have diverted routes. Heavy traffic is expected on the Shahdara GT Road (Kashmere Gate to Seemapuri) and its connecting roads. In such a situation, traveling by metro will be easier.
On Monday morning, vehicles were moving slow on the Shahdara GT Road. Due to the large number of postal Kanwariyas, drivers were stuck in traffic jams. Despite having separate lanes on the road, Kanwariyas were walking in the middle. Due to them, drivers were stuck in traffic jams. Drivers faced a lot of trouble in the heat. Vehicles were seen crawling on the road. In the afternoon, the traffic police stopped the movement of vehicles on the road.
TRAFFIC ADVISORY
— Delhi Traffic Police (@dtptraffic) August 9, 2026
Traffic movement in and around Kalindi Kunj Junction is likely to remain slow and congested till 12.08.2026 due to heavy movement of Kanwariyas during the ongoing Kanwar Yatra and ongoing road repair work on the Okhla Barrage–Kalindi Kunj stretch.
📍ADVISORY… pic.twitter.com/dzqYI092mO
Is vehicular movement restricted?
The vehicle movement along this route will remain prohibited till August 12. The buses operating from Anand Vihar and Seemapuri to Kashmere Gate will follow some other route instead of Shahdara GT Road. According to K. Ramesh, the Deputy Commissioner of Traffic, the roundabout at Apsara Border has been sealed off.
Vehicles from Anand Vihar and Seemapuri are not being allowed onto the GT Road. Vehicles are being diverted through the underpass. Vehicles coming from Vivek Vihar and Jagatpuri to Kaishav Chowk are not being allowed onto the GT Road. The Deputy Commissioner advised drivers to consult the police X-Ray handle before leaving their homes on Monday.
What about last year?
In 2025, the Shahdara GT Road was closed for the first time during the Kanwar Yatra. The complete closure of one route caused traffic jams on the Yamuna side. Learning from the problems faced by drivers last year, Bhajanpura Traffic Inspector Vikas Kumar made some changes.
The Seelampur and Dharampura traffic lights will remain open. Drivers from Maujpur who wish to travel to Gandhi Nagar or Old Delhi will have to go via Dharampura via the old iron bridge. They can go to Geeta Colony and Old Delhi from Shastri Park Chowk. However, they will not be able to go to Kashmiri Gate from here.
