The Delhi-Haridwar National Highway will be closed for traffic for 10 days beginning Tuesday to facilitate smooth movement of ‘kanwarias’, devotees of Lord Shiva.

SSP Praveen Kumar said the step has been taken to prevent any untoward incident during movement of ‘kanwarias’.

District authorities have also decided to close all schools and colleges in the district from 20th to 29th July due to diversion of routes, District Magistrate Pankaj Kumar said on Tuesday.

Kanwarias collect holy water of River Ganga in Haridwar in pots and walk back to their home during the Hindu month of ‘Shravan’.