Delhi Enhances Rail and Namo Bharat Services for Kanwar Yatra Devotees
To ease pressure on rail and road systems during the 2025 Kanwar Yatra, Indian Railways and the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) have announced temporary service upgrades, extended train halts, and increased train frequencies. These pre-emptive mobility measures aim to ensure a safer and smoother experience for pilgrims while keeping city traffic disruptions to a minimum.
With Kanwar Yatra footfall rising annually, key rail zones including Northern and West Central Railways have mobilised resources to provide uninterrupted connectivity to pilgrimage sites like Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Saharanpur. From July 11 to 23, railways have arranged temporary halts of 2–3 minutes at strategic points along the yatra route. Officials confirmed that these brief halts—accommodated within schedule buffers—will not delay train arrivals. In addition to halts, multiple trains including Delhi-Shamli DEMU, Delhi-Saharanpur MEMU, and Moradabad-Laksar services have been extended to reach Haridwar. Nearly 30 daily and weekly long-distance trains such as Subedarganj-Dehradun Express and Kochuveli-Yog Nagari Rishikesh Express are now making additional Kanwar-specific stops. To manage peak rush, Northern Railway is also operating Kanwar Special Trains.
Commuters have been advised to confirm travel updates through the Rail Madad app, helpline number 139, or the official railway website, especially given the dynamic adjustments during the yatra period. Simultaneously, the NCRTC has raised the frequency of its Namo Bharat semi-high-speed trains between New Ashok Nagar and Meerut South to run every 10 minutes during peak hours from July 11. The enhanced frequency will be active from 8 am to 11 am and again from 5 pm to 8 pm, strategically timed with the movement of pilgrims. Officials stated that this would serve as a vital alternative to congested roadways, especially as heavy vehicles face restricted entry into Meerut during the event.
With over 1.25 crore rides already logged on the 55 km stretch of the Namo Bharat corridor, the service has become central to regional transit planning. Authorities reiterated the importance of efficient coordination between transport bodies to ensure safe pilgrim transit without compromising urban mobility.
