Varanasi: Traffic restrictions and elaborate crowd management plans for the Shrawan Somvars came into effect in Varanasi from Saturday evening, while major traffic diversions, including on highways across almost all surrounding districts, will be enforced from Sunday to manage the expected rush of devotees and Kanwariyas.ADCP (Traffic) Anshuman Mishra said traffic restrictions, diversions and no-entry zones were enforced in view of the expected rush of devotees and kanwariyas at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and other major Shiv temples during Shrawan. The no-entry order, enforced from Saturday at 8 am, will remain effective till Tuesday morning. No vehicles, except kanwar vehicles, will be allowed to operate between Chandpur crossing and Mohansarai.Throughout Shrawan, the left lane on Prayagraj-Varanasi National Highway-19 from Gudia Border, Rakhouna Underpass, Rajatalab, Mohansarai and Mudla Tiraha to Chandpur will remain reserved for kanwar vehicles. The regular no-entry, usually lifted at 11 pm on Sundays and Mondays, will remain in force. Vehicles carrying vegetables, fruits, milk and LPG will be exempted.Inter-district and heavy vehicles from Ghazipur, Mau, Azamgarh, Jaunpur, Chandauli, Prayagraj and Bhadohi will not be allowed to enter Varanasi city and will have to use the Ring Road or NH-19. Light passenger vehicles from Prayagraj will move via Kachhwa Road, Rajatalab, Mohansarai Bypass, Amra-Akhari, Chitaipur, Bhikharipur, BLW Gate, Kakarmatta and Manduadih. Buses from Prayagraj, Mirzapur, Sonbhadra and Chandauli will enter via NH-19, Rakhouna Overbridge and Harhua. Buses from Ghazipur, Azamgarh and Jaunpur will use Harhua, Gilat Bazaar, Shivpur Chungi, Phulwaria and Lahartara to reach Cantt bus station.All DCPs, including those of Kashi, Varuna and Gomati zones, inspected highways and roads leading to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and other prominent Shiva temples on Saturday.In Ghazipur, senior officials inspected Mahahar Dham temple in Mardah, reviewed security arrangements, met the temple committee and checked the lost-and-found centre, CCTV control room, parking facilities and barricading.In Chandauli, diversions also came into effect from Saturday evening and will remain in force till Tuesday morning. Officials designated Alampur Underpass, Godhna Chauraha, Chakia Tiraha, Padao, Panchfedwa Ring Road, Kataria Tiraha, Shahupuri Tiraha, Lanka Maidan Tiraha, PAC Tiraha, FCI Godown Tiraha and Coal Mandi Padao as diversion points.In Azamgarh, Shrawan diversions will remain in effect every Sunday from 10 pm to Monday 10 pm between July 30 and August 28. Heavy vehicles and buses will be routed through Bhawarnath Bypass, Rani Ki Sarai, Hafizpur, Baitholi, Sidhari Hydril, Narauli, Belaisa and railway station routes, as applicable.Entry of heavy vehicles into Mirzapur city will remain restricted on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays and special Wednesdays, while normal traffic will continue on other days unless restrictions are required. Heavy vehicles will be diverted at key points, including Vindhyachal, Karanpur, Barkachha, Bhatauli, Chilh, Rajgarh, Chunar, Narayanpur, Lalganj, Gopiganj, Aurai and border routes towards Prayagraj, Varanasi and Sonbhadra. Emergency and essential vehicles, including ambulances, school vehicles, dairy and petroleum vehicles, fire services, police and vehicles carrying perishable goods, will remain exempt throughout.
