Diwali & Chhath 2026 Road Trip: 15-Point Car and Bike Checklist for Purvanchal

Car checklist: 10 checks before you leave

1. Tyres, including the spare. Check pressure when the tyres are cold, and look for cuts or bulges on the sidewalls. Tread should be deeper than the wear indicator bars.
2. Brakes. Squealing, grinding or a soft pedal means the pads or fluid need attention. A brake service costs far less than an accident.
3. Battery. If the engine cranks slowly in the morning, get the battery tested. Batteries older than three years often fail on the first cold mornings of November.
4. Engine oil and filter. If the oil is due within the next 1,000 km, change it before the trip rather than after.
5. Coolant. Top up to the mark with the correct coolant and check under the car for leaks after it has been parked overnight.
6. Lights. Headlamps (high and low beam), brake lights, indicators, hazard lamps and fog lamps. Pre-dawn Chhath ghat trips depend on them.
7. Wipers and washer fluid. Replace streaky wiper blades; morning dew and fog demand a clear windscreen.
8. AC and cabin filter. A clogged cabin filter makes the AC weak and the cabin dusty on long drives.
9. Emergency kit. Jack, wheel spanner, warning triangle, torch, first-aid kit and a phone charger.
10. Documents. RC, insurance, PUC and driving licence (DigiLocker copies are accepted), plus a working FASTag with enough balance for tolls.

Bike checklist: 5 checks for two-wheelers

1. Chain. Clean, lubricate and adjust. A dry, slack chain can jump the sprocket on a long ride.
2. Brakes. Adjust drum brakes and check disc pads. Riding with a pillion and luggage needs more braking than usual.
3. Tyres. Correct pressure for two people, and replace tyres with nearly flat tread before the trip.
4. Lights and horn. Headlamp, tail lamp, indicators and horn must all work, especially for early-morning ghat visits.
5. Oil. Change it if it is due within 500 km. Old oil makes engines run hot in slow festive traffic.

On the road: driving tips for festive traffic

• Start early. Traffic on NH-27 and around Gorakhpur, Deoria and Kasia builds up after 9 am on festival eves.
• Watch for pedestrians near ghats, markets and temples, especially on Chhath mornings and evenings.
• Keep a safe gap behind buses and trucks; they stop suddenly to pick up passengers.
• Do not overload the car. Extra weight changes braking and handling, and overloaded roof carriers are dangerous.
• If the temperature gauge rises in traffic, switch off the AC and turn on the heater to shed engine heat, then pull over safely.

If you break down on the way

Pull over as far left as possible, switch on the hazard lamps and place the warning triangle behind the car. Stay away from traffic. Then call +91 93106 94349 or book Roadside Assistance and share your live location. We arrange jump-starts, puncture repair, fuel delivery and towing across Gorakhpur, Deoria, Kushinagar and Maharajganj.

Frequently asked questions