Mysuru: With an extended weekend coinciding with the Gowri-Ganesha festival on Monday, motorists travelling from Bengaluru towards Mysuru faced long waits at Toll Plazas on the Bengaluru-Mysuru Highway from early this morning.

The Toll Plazas at Kaniminike in Bengaluru South taluk and Sheshagirihalli in Ramanagara taluk and Gananguru near Srirangapatna witnessed heavy traffic, with a large number of cars and other four-wheelers heading towards Mysuru and other destinations for the weekend.

Also, vehicles entering Mysuru through the Highway also faced delays at Kempegowda Circle (Manipal Hospital Junction), where the ongoing flyover construction has further compounded traffic problems.

Since vehicles arriving from Bengaluru via the Highway have to pass through the junction to enter Mysuru city, motorists had to wait for considerable periods.

Traffic Police personnel had a tough time regulating the flow of vehicles and ensuring smooth movement at the junction.

Though the Toll Plazas have FASTag facilities and seven to eight lanes, the sheer volume of cars and other four-wheelers resulted in long queues and delays. In contrast, there was no significant rush of vehicles heading towards Bengaluru.

Heavy traffic at the Toll Plazas is common during extended weekends and during Dasara season, but the volume witnessed today was unusually high, mainly due to the Gowri-Ganesha festival on Monday.