Gonda: With an estimated 10 to 12 lakh devotees and Kanwariyas expected to arrive in Gonda for the Kajari Teej celebrations, the district administration and police have prepared an extensive traffic management plan to ensure smooth movement, public safety and effective law-and-order arrangements.
Kajari Teej will be observed on September 13 and 14. A large number of devotees are expected to collect sacred water from the Saryu River at the Saryu Ghat in Colonelganj and travel towards Prithvinath Temple through the Katra-Kauriya route and towards Dukhharan Nath Temple through the Colonelganj-Balpur route for Jalabhishek and prayers.
In view of the anticipated rush, traffic diversions will remain in force from 12 noon on September 12 until 8 am on September 15.
Key Roads to Remain Restricted
To facilitate the safe and uninterrupted movement of devotees, the administration has prohibited vehicular movement on the route connecting Badgaon Chauraha, Guru Nanak Chauraha and Ambedkar Chauraha towards Colonelganj during the specified period.
However, light vehicles will continue to be allowed on routes connecting Badgaon Chauraha with Balrampur, Utraula and the Ayodhya-Mankapur corridor, providing alternative options for commuters and reducing pressure on the main routes.
Complete Ban on Heavy Vehicles
The entry of heavy goods vehicles and trucks into the district headquarters will remain completely prohibited from noon on September 12 until 8 am on September 15.
Heavy vehicles carrying essential services may be permitted to enter depending on the situation through designated routes, including Balrampur, Utraula or Nawabganj (Lolwa).
Heavy vehicles travelling from Barabanki towards Balrampur will be diverted through Jarwal Road, Kaiserganj, Payagpur and Shravasti before proceeding to Balrampur and Utraula.
Similarly, heavy vehicles travelling from Balrampur and Utraula towards Lucknow will be routed through Shravasti, Bahraich, Payagpur, Kaiserganj and Jarwal Road before continuing towards Barabanki.
Vehicles travelling from Bahraich towards Ayodhya will be diverted through Shravasti, Balrampur, Utraula, Dumariyaganj and Basti. Those travelling from Ayodhya towards Bahraich or Balrampur will take the reverse route through Basti, Dumariyaganj, Utraula, Balrampur and Shravasti.
Alternative Routes for Light Vehicles
The administration has also designated alternative routes for light vehicles.
Vehicles travelling from Lucknow and Barabanki towards Gonda will be routed through Jarwal Road, Bhamhua, Bhauriganj, Parsapur and Dehras before entering Gonda. Vehicles coming from Lucknow may also use the Ayodhya-Lolwa route as an alternative entry corridor.
For vehicles travelling from Gonda towards Lucknow, the preferred route will be Nawabganj-Ayodhya. As another option, commuters can use Ambedkar Chauraha, Jail Road, Dehras, Parsapur, Bhauriganj, Bhamhua, Jarwal Road and then proceed towards Barabanki or Lucknow.
Light vehicles travelling from Bahraich and Balrampur towards Ayodhya will be diverted through Shravasti, Balrampur, Utraula, Mankapur, Kolhampur and Lolpur in Nawabganj. Vehicles travelling in the opposite direction from Ayodhya towards Bahraich will follow the corresponding reverse route.
Several Local Routes Also Restricted
Additional restrictions will be imposed on vehicular movement between Saryu Ghat in Colonelganj and Gonda-Badgaon Chauraha. Traffic will also be restricted on the Colonelganj-Aryanagar, Khargupur-Aryanagar and Gonda-Bahraich routes during the specified period.
The restrictions are intended to create dedicated and safer movement corridors for devotees carrying Saryu water to temples, particularly during the peak period of the religious festival.
Administration Appeals for Public Cooperation
The district administration has appealed to residents, devotees, Kanwariyas and vehicle operators to strictly follow the traffic diversion plan and use only the designated alternative routes.
Officials said the arrangements have been designed with the safety and convenience of devotees as the primary objective. Police and administrative teams will remain deployed to regulate traffic and maintain law and order throughout the festival period.
The administration has urged the public to cooperate with traffic personnel and avoid unnecessary travel on restricted routes so that Kajari Teej can be conducted in a peaceful, safe and orderly manner
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