India, Aug. 22 -- Anticipating a massive surge in traffic during the upcoming Ganesh festival, transport authorities have imposed restrictions on the movement of heavy vehicles on the Mumbai Goa highway during some key periods.

The order, issued by the deputy regional transport officer (Panvel), bans the movement of vehicles with a load capacity of 16 tonnes and above on designated days to ease congestion and ensure the safety of millions of devotees traveling to Konkan and Goa. The ban will affect trucks, trailers, lorries, and multi-axle vehicles.

A transport official said, "The move is aimed at preventing traffic snarls and accidents on the narrow and busy Mumbai-Goa highway (National Highway 66), which witnesses an unprecedented rus...