With millions of devotees and tourists converging on Ayodhya for the historic 10th Deepotsav celebrations, the district administration and traffic police have implemented a comprehensive external and internal traffic diversion plan. The restrictions are designed to maintain security, manage unprecedented pedestrian footfalls around Ram Ki Paidi and the Sarayu ghats, and ensure hassle-free transit for emergency services and pilgrims. The extensive outer diversion for heavy vehicles takes effect from the midnight of November 6 and remains active through November 8 until the festival rush eases, while city-wide inner restrictions come into force from the morning of November 7. Commuters traveling through National Highway 27 (NH-27) and adjoining state corridors are strongly advised to review the diversion guidelines before beginning their journey.

Highway Transit and Inter-City Freight Diversion via Purvanchal Expressway

To avoid traffic bottlenecks across the central corridor connecting Lucknow, Barabanki, and Gorakhpur, all freight and commercial trucks are barred from entering Ayodhya district limits. Heavy vehicles moving from Lucknow toward Gorakhpur or Basti are being rerouted via Mohanlalganj, Gosainganj, and the Purvanchal Expressway. Traffic originating from Sitapur and Shahjahanpur will be diverted via Bakshi Ka Talab and Kisan Path directly toward the expressway. Similarly, long-distance vehicles arriving from Kanpur, Agra, Sultanpur, and Ambedkar Nagar will be redirected away from the NH-27 bypass toward alternate ring networks and expressway connections to keep the primary approach corridors open for essential transport and passenger vehicles.

Internal Zero-Vehicle Zones and 14 Security Barricades

Within Ayodhya Dham itself, authorities have established 14 strategic security checkpoints and converted central corridors into strict zero-vehicle zones starting at 07:00 AM on November 7:

• Ram Path & Dharma Path: Completely sealed for unauthorized motorized transport to facilitate pedestrian movement and the ceremonial Shobha Yatra tableaux.

• Saket Barrier & Petrol Pump: Vehicles arriving from Faizabad Cantt or the local airport corridor are halted here; no standard private cars, taxis, or e-rickshaws are permitted beyond this checkpoint toward Ram Katha Park or Naya Ghat.

• Tedhi Bazar (Guru Vashishth Chowk): Functions as the primary western cordon. Vehicles moving from the bypass must divert directly into designated parking structures.

• Udaya and Ranopali Crossings: Four-wheelers heading toward Tedhi Bazar from Udaya Chauraha are restricted and rerouted via Gas Godown Tiraha, while two-wheelers from Ranopali are diverted through Langadveer Chauraha.

• Sarayu River Front Corridors: Entry from Post Office Tiraha, Tulsi Udyan Tiraha, Janki Mahal turn, and Rajghat Bandha toward Lata Mangeshkar Chowk and Naya Ghat remains strictly pedestrian-only.

Designated Satellite Parking Grounds for Visitors and Devotees

To prevent localized street gridlock, the district administration has set up dedicated satellite parking facilities categorized by entry routes:

• Vehicles from Lucknow, Ambedkar Nagar, and Sultanpur: Directed to park at the Multi-Level Parking facility near Balughat Tiraha or the designated open parking adjacent to Surya Palace.

• Vehicles from Gorakhpur, Basti, and Gonda: Required to use the Dashrath Path parking near Saket Bridge or the open parking grounds near Vaikunth Dham.

• Two-Wheeler Commuters: Specific parking arrangements have been established near the Phatikshila railway overbridge corridor.

• VIPs, Media, and Duty Officials: Pass-holding media personnel, designated contractors, and religious heads are permitted up to the Hanuman Gufa barrier, with dedicated parking adjacent to Phatikshila Ashram.

Critical Travel Advisory for Deepotsav Visitors

Devotees heading to Ayodhya for the grand lamp-lighting ceremony should anticipate walking between 1.5 and 3 kilometers from peripheral parking lots to the main temple complex and riverfront viewing zones. Given massive mobile network congestion expected around Ram Ki Paidi during evening hours, visitors are advised to pre-determine fixed physical meeting points with travel companions and drivers. Travelers planning same-day visits should aim to reach their allotted parking sectors well before 11:00 AM on November 7 to avoid afternoon cordon lockdowns.