Two kanwarias of Delhi die; All highways to Hardwar to be closed

Hardwar, Aug 1 (UNI) Two kanwarias of Delhi died here in two separate incidents last night, police sources said.

Police said Amit lost his balance and slipped in the holy river, while he was taking Ganga jal in his kanwar late last evening at about 2300 hrs.

In another incident a kanwaria was crushed to death by a speeding truck at about 0030 hrs last night, near the village Badhedi on Hardwar-Delhi national highway, nearly 20 kms from Hardwar, while he was returning to his destination after taking Ganga jal. Police today identified the deceased as Robin.

The kanwar teerth yatra started on July 30, the first day of the month of Sawan of Hindu calendar and nearly five lakh kanwarias have so far reached Hardwar to take Ganga jal with which they will anoint Lord Shiva in the temples of their respective regions on Aug 11, the auspicious day of Shiv Ratri.

The DIG Garhwal range, Ashok Kumar told UNI today that nearly 60 lakh kanwarias were likely to reach Hardwar for the yatra this year. The DIG further said that from tomorrow evening Delhi-Hardwar national highway, Hardwar-Moradabad national highway, Hardwar-Saharanpur national highway and Hardwar-Dehradun national highway would remain closed for the normal traffic to provide a safe passage to the kanwarias and the entire traffic from the neighbouring states to and from Hardwar would be diverted through alternative routes from Aug 03 to Aug 11.

UNI