Kanwar yatra: Ghaziabad schools, colleges shut

Ghaziabad: The district magistrate on Thursday ordered closure of all schools, both private and government, and colleges from July 26 to July 30 because of heavy movement during Kanwar yatra for Shivratri.
“Like every year, Shravan Shivratri will be celebrated on July 30. As a large number of devotees is expected to participate in the occasion, all schools and colleges (engineering, management and medical among others) will remain closed from July 26 to July 30,” DM Ajay Shankar Pandey said. Officials have been directed to ensure that the order is followed.
The district administration passes similar orders every year anticipating huge rush during the last leg of Kanwar yatra.
On Thursday, a command centre at Meerut tri-section was inaugurated by the DM and the SSP from where the Kanwar yatra will be monitored.
The district administration and police have chalked out an elaborate plan to provide hassle-free passage to Kanwariyas.
In total, around 1,500 police personnel, 1,000 volunteers, 13 drone cameras, and anti-terrorism squad (ATS) commandes have deployed across the district.
Moreover, 208 CCTV cameras have been installed along the route, from Modinagar to Ghaziabad. The police have plans to use a helicopter for carrying out inspections on July 29 and 30.
Heavy vehicles have been banned on the Delhi-Meerut road from July 22 to July 31. The same rule became applicable for light vehicles from July 25.
Heavy vehicles moving towards Bulandshahr and Haridwar from Delhi are being diverted to NH-9 via UP Gate. They can go through through Dasna, Pilkhuwa and Hapur to reach their destinations.
Vehicles going towards Meerut are required to go to Hapur and then move towards their destinations.