Mysuru: The district administration is preparing a comprehensive traffic management plan to prevent congestion during Mysuru Dasara 2026, with vehicle diversions planned around the Kempegowda Circle-Manipal Hospital Junction flyover construction.
Traffic entering Mysuru from Bengaluru is expected to rise significantly during the festival. Last Dasara season, an average of 28,516 vehicles entered the city daily through the Bengaluru-Mysuru National Highway 275 between September 22 and October 12, 2025. With this year’s celebrations expected to be bigger and additional attractions such as Kambala planned, officials anticipate a substantial increase in traffic.
Flyover work raises traffic concerns
A major concern for traffic authorities is the ongoing Rs 63.67-crore flyover or grade separator project at Kempegowda Circle, also known as the Manipal Hospital Junction.
The project, being executed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), is intended to ease congestion at the busy junction where several roads meet. However, only around 30% of the work has reportedly been completed.
With the project still under construction, officials fear that restricted road space could become a bottleneck when thousands of tourists arrive in Mysuru during Dasara.
The district administration and traffic police are therefore working on alternative routes to keep vehicles moving through the city.
Traffic to be diverted near Varuna Aqueduct
One of the proposed measures involves diverting traffic before the Varuna Canal Aqueduct.
Cars, SUVs, light motor vehicles and two-wheelers entering Mysuru are proposed to be diverted towards Hale Kesare Road, opposite K.R. Mill Colony. The route connects to the Outer Ring Road, allowing vehicles to bypass the busy Kempegowda Circle area.
According to Deputy Commissioner G. Lakshmikanth Reddy, traffic and Public Works Department officials have been directed to make the necessary arrangements for the diversion.
The proposed route will take vehicles towards Old Kesare Junction before connecting them to the Outer Ring Road and allowing them to proceed towards other parts of the city.
Officials are expected to inspect the route before finalising the arrangement and opening it for traffic.
Vehicle numbers could touch 45,000 a day
Traffic authorities are preparing for a substantial increase in vehicle movement during the festival.
NHAI data showed that an average of 22,197 vehicles entered Mysuru through Gananguru Toll Plaza every day in September 2025. This included around 19,433 cars and SUVs. In October last year, the average increased to 24,870 vehicles, including 22,119 cars and SUVs.
However, these figures only cover vehicles using the tolled highway. Several motorists use service roads and other routes to enter the city.
Taking both tolled and non-tolled routes into account, traffic estimates suggest that vehicle movement between Bengaluru and Mysuru could reach nearly 45,000 vehicles a day during the Dasara period. Cars alone could account for around 25,000 to 28,000 vehicles daily.
Heavy vehicles to use alternative routes
The traffic management plan will also separate heavy vehicles from the main routes used by cars and two-wheelers.
Buses, trucks and other heavy vehicles arriving from Bengaluru are proposed to be diverted towards Yelwal through Srirangapatna before joining the Outer Ring Road.
Traffic officials are also considering routes through Royal Inn Junction, Pump House, Yelwal, Hunsur Road and Mangaluru Road for heavy vehicles.
DCP (Crime and Traffic) K.S. Sundar Raj said several bypass options were being considered and that the authorities would inspect the roads before finalising the routes.
He said the condition and usability of Hale Kesare Road would be checked before cars, SUVs, light motor vehicles and two-wheelers are diverted through it.
Flyover construction may be halted temporarily
NHAI sources have reportedly confirmed that the ongoing flyover construction at Kempegowda Circle will be temporarily halted during the Dasara festival.
The decision follows discussions between NHAI officials, the Deputy Commissioner and the City Police Commissioner.
The construction agency has also been instructed to clear construction equipment from the area to maximise the available road space during the festival.
The temporary suspension of construction activity is aimed at reducing the impact of the incomplete flyover project on traffic movement when visitor numbers are expected to peak.
Additional diversions may be introduced
The administration is not limiting its preparations to a single diversion route.
Traffic police and district officials are monitoring expected peak inflow and outflow periods. Additional diversions could be introduced depending on the volume of traffic and conditions on the ground.
Officials are also surveying important junctions to determine where diversions can be introduced without creating congestion elsewhere.
Physical inspections of proposed routes are expected to be carried out over the coming days. The final traffic layout will be based on road conditions, traffic requirements and the ability of alternative routes to handle additional vehicles.
Dasara expected to draw more visitors
Mysuru Dasara 2026 is scheduled to take place from October 11 to 21, with the grand Jumboo Savari scheduled for Vijayadashami.
The festival will feature several attractions, including cultural programmes, illumination, Aahaara Mela and Kambala. The addition of new attractions is expected to increase visitor movement across the city.
With large numbers of vehicles expected from Bengaluru and other parts of Karnataka, traffic management has become a key part of Dasara preparations.
The proposed diversions around Kempegowda Circle are intended to ensure that visitors can enter and leave Mysuru without being significantly affected by the ongoing flyover construction.
Authorities will finalise the routes after inspecting the proposed roads and assessing traffic requirements. The arrangements are expected to remain flexible so that additional diversions can be introduced if traffic volumes rise beyond anticipated levels.