Schools Holiday From July 16 to 23 In This District; Here's Why

The Kanwar Yatra 2025 in Uttar Pradesh is underway with massive administrative preparations, especially in high-traffic regions like Meerut. Due to the increasing number of pilgrims and rising tensions along the Yatra route, the Meerut district administration has declared school holidays from July 16 to July 23. This decision was made to ensure smooth traffic flow and maintain public safety during the religious event, which draws lakhs of Kanwariyas each year.

District Magistrate Dr. V.K. Singh announced that all recognised schools-including government, private, UP Board, CBSE, and ICSE institutions-will remain closed throughout the eight-day period. Schools will reopen on July 24. Authorities have made it clear that strict action will be taken against any school that remains open in violation of the order.

To manage the heavy vehicular load, the police enforced one-way traffic on the Delhi-Meerut highway starting Monday afternoon. However, the move backfired within hours as a massive traffic jam stretched nearly 10 km in Muradnagar. Commuters faced delays of two to three hours, with even ambulances, school buses, and VIP vehicles stuck in the gridlock. The extreme heat worsened the situation for many stranded on the roads.

Local residents have criticised the decision for being poorly timed. Umesh Sharma from Meerut stated that the one-way rule was imposed prematurely, even though the Kanwar rush had not fully started. His concerns reflect a wider sentiment that while regulation is necessary, it must be implemented logically and with better timing.

This year's Yatra has already been marred by reports of vandalism and clashes in places like Haridwar, Muzaffarnagar, Ghaziabad, and Meerut. In response, law enforcement has ramped up security measures, including additional police deployment, mobile patrol units, and 24/7 surveillance using CCTV cameras and drones. Roads have been partially closed during peak hours to minimise contact between pilgrims and local commuters.

To support civic needs, the municipal corporation has provided multipurpose toilet points, clean drinking water, and sanitation facilities. Medical teams, ambulances, and first-aid centres have been strategically placed along the Kanwar route to manage health emergencies.

Parents in Meerut have largely welcomed the school closures, citing concerns about their children's safety and the risk of spending long hours in traffic. As no exams are scheduled during this time, the holiday is not expected to impact academic progress.

Overall, while the situation has led to some disruption, the administration is striving to strike a balance between religious devotion and public order. Efforts are being made to update and improve plans based on ground realities, with the aim of reducing inconvenience for pilgrims, locals, and students alike.