Gurgaon: Traffic police lays out plan to keep city on move during Kanwar Yatra

Police will set up additional nakas, deploy detailed PCR vans and reserve police force to ensure smooth traffic and safety of pilgrims.

City residents should brace for another round of traffic jams as the annual Kanwar yatra is expected to roll into the city from July 15 onwards. Coinciding with the monsoon and heavy construction activity on the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway, the pilgrimage is likely to give traffic nightmare to commuters at a time they are already battling snarls during peak commuting hours.

Shelters being built for the Kanwar yatris in Gurgaon. (Sanjeev Verma/HT PHOTO)

The Gurgaon police has, however, chalked out an elaborate plan to ensure traffic moves smoothly in the city. Police has decided to set up additional nakas, deploy detailed PCR vans and additional reserve police force to ensure smooth traffic and safety of pilgrims.

Kanwarias are disciples of Lord Shiva, who carry Gangajal as they pass through Gurgaon on their way from Haridwar in Uttarakhand to local shrines in Gurgaon, Rewari and neighbouring districts of Rajasthan. Hundreds of Kanwarias are expected to pass through Gurgaon from July 15 onwards till July 21.

Commuters, however, are likely to face trouble at Iffco chowk, Rajiv Chowk, Signature tower crossing and Hero Honda Chowk, as several key infrastructure projects are currently on different stages of implementation at these spots. Last year, too, Gurgaon had seen traffic jams during the Kanwar yatra.

Sohna Road and Old Delhi-Gurgaon Road are also likely to face traffic jams as there is heavy vehicular movement during the peak hours. Even without the Kanwar yatra, the traffic situation on these city roads has been quite problematic. Construction activity on Old Delhi-Gurgaon Road has also hit peak stage, which might cause discomfort for commuters.

Police officials however assert that they have taken adequate steps to ensure smooth vehicular movement. “Keeping the Kanwar Yatra in mind, traffic officials will be deployed at all crossings and key junctions round the clock. Zonal officers will also work tirelessly to manage vehicular movement. PCRs and extra riders will also help secure these areas,” DCP traffic, Simardeep Singh, said.

As per plan, all major roads including the expressway will be barricaded by 4 to 5 feet to provide space for kanwarias and segregate traffic. “Everyone needs to contribute to ensure there are no jams during the yatra. All measures are being taken to ensure safe and secure roads during this period,” Gurgaon police commissioner Sandeep Khirwar said.

Read I Gurgaon gets ready for kanwar yatra

Organisers have also been asked take permission from the district administration before setting up kanwar shivirs. All the roads in the city starting from Sirhaul toll plaza, MG road, Old Delhi-Gurgaon Road and Palam Vihar, Golf Course Road and Sohna Road have been divided as per the jurisdiction of the police stations. Additional force from the reserved police will be deployed to prevent any untoward incident during the yatra period.

Permanent nakas during the yatra period will be set up at Iffco chowk, South city chowk, Rajiv chowk, Hero Honda Chowk, Kherki Daula, Bilaspur Chowk, Ambedkar Chowk in Sohna, Pataudi Chowk in Gurgaon and main Pataudi Chowk in Pataudi town.