Kanwar Yatra 2026: Special Trains, Extra Buses and Traffic Curbs Across North India

Kanwar Yatra 2026: Special Trains, Extra Buses and Traffic Curbs Across North India — What Travellers Need to Know

As the Kanwar Yatra 2026 gathers pace, Indian Railways, state transport departments and police authorities across northern India have rolled out special transport services and traffic management plans to accommodate lakhs of Kanwariyas while minimizing disruption for other commuters.

From additional trains to Haridwar and Rishikesh to bus services and extensive road diversions in Uttar Pradesh and adjoining states, officials have urged travellers to check the latest advisories before beginning their journeys.

Northern Railway Introduces Special Train Services

To handle the festive rush, Northern Railway has announced the extension of two passenger services and the operation of special Mela trains.

Delhi–Saharanpur MEMU Extended to Haridwar

Between July 30 and August 14, the Delhi–Saharanpur MEMU will operate up to Haridwar. The train will leave Delhi at 4:15 pm, reach Saharanpur at 8:50 pm, depart after a 20-minute halt and arrive in Haridwar at 10:50 pm via Roorkee and Jwalapur.

On the return journey, it will leave Haridwar at 2 am and reach Delhi at 8:45 am.

Delhi–Shamli DEMU Extension

The Delhi–Shamli DEMU has also been extended to Haridwar for the same period. The service will run via Shamli, Thana Bhawan, Rampur Maniharan and Tapri before reaching Haridwar, with the return train following the same route back to Delhi.

Special Mela Trains

Northern Railway will also operate two dedicated fair special trains during the pilgrimage:

Haridwar–Delhi Shahdara Fair Special (via Tapri): July 30 to August 13
Yoganagari Rishikesh–Delhi Shahdara Fair Special (via Tapri): July 30 to August 14

These services are expected to ease passenger congestion and improve connectivity for devotees travelling to the holy cities.

Haryana Roadways Ready With Additional Buses

Haryana Roadways has said it will increase bus services to Haridwar if demand rises during the Yatra.

At present, two buses operate daily from Ballabhgarh Bus Stand—departing at 5:30 am and 8 pm. The fare remains Rs 385 per passenger, with return services operating later the same day and the following morning.

• Ghaziabad Enforces Major Traffic Restrictions
• Ghaziabad Police has issued one of its most extensive traffic advisories of the year.

Heavy Vehicles

From 8 am on July 29 to August 12, heavy vehicles, including trucks, tractor-trolleys and DCMs, will not be allowed inside the city. Such vehicles will be diverted via the Eastern Peripheral Expressway, NH-9 and the Delhi–Dehradun Expressway.

Heavy vehicles will also remain prohibited on:

Ganga Canal Kanwar Marg
Pipeline Marg
NH-34
Delhi–Meerut Expressway
Restrictions From August 5

Between August 5 and August 12, restrictions will also apply to cars, pickups, mini-trucks, tempos and other light commercial vehicles on several routes leading to Dudheshwarnath Temple.

Auto-rickshaws will not operate between:

Seemapuri Border and Lal Kuan
Mohan Nagar and Anand Vihar
Changes to Bus Services

From August 5, roadways, private and city buses entering through Seemapuri Border and Tulsi Niketan will be diverted.

Buses from Bulandshahr will terminate at Lal Kuan, while services from Anand Vihar and Kaushambi will operate on alternate routes.

Around Dudheshwarnath Temple

Two-wheelers and light vehicles will be barred from key approach roads, including Chaudhary Mod, Railway Road Cut, Bajariya, Hapur Tiraha and Gaushala Gate.

Authorities have also created dedicated green corridors for ambulances and fire services, while CCTV cameras, drones and round-the-clock police deployment will monitor sensitive locations.

Muzaffarnagar Announces Highway Restrictions

Traffic restrictions will come into effect on the Delhi–Haridwar National Highway and Ganga Canal Road from July 30.

From August 4 to August 12, general vehicular movement will be prohibited on these routes, with a dedicated lane reserved exclusively for Kanwar pilgrims.

Delhi–Meerut Expressway Closure

According to reports, the Uttar Pradesh stretch of the Delhi–Meerut Expressway (DME) will remain closed to regular traffic from August 7 to August 12 (Shivratri).

Motorists travelling towards Meerut, Haridwar or Muzaffarnagar have been advised to use alternative routes such as the Eastern Peripheral Expressway, Delhi–Dehradun Expressway, NH-9 and designated local roads in Ghaziabad.

Mirzapur Imposes Diversions Till August 28

The Mirzapur administration has implemented traffic diversions and no-entry orders from July 31 to August 28.

Heavy vehicles, except those carrying essential supplies such as milk, fuel and emergency goods, will not be allowed into the city during the Sawan month.

Diversions have been notified on several major routes, including Robertsganj Tiraha, Madihan, Bharuhana Chowki, Gaipura, Rajgarh Tiraha, Barkachha, Belan Baraudha, Tengra Mod and Shastri Bridge.

To strengthen security, authorities have deployed police divers at major bathing ghats and established a temporary police station at Rampur Tiraha on the Delhi–Dehradun National Highway, staffed by around 20 personnel throughout the pilgrimage.

Authorities Urge Travellers to Check Updates

With lakhs of devotees expected to participate in the Kanwar Yatra, officials have advised pilgrims and commuters to verify train schedules, bus services and traffic advisories before travelling.

Authorities have also urged motorists to follow diversion routes, cooperate with police personnel and keep additional travel time in hand, as restrictions may be revised depending on crowd movement and security requirements.