Panaji, Nov 23 (IANS): The 42nd International Film Festival of India opens here Wednesday and the state government has announced a half-day holiday for government officials to avoid traffic congestion on the roads.

Bollywood Badshah Shah Rukh Khan will inaugurate the 42nd edition of IFFI at Margao, 35 km from here.

A circular has been issued instructing offices in Panaji and Margao to call it a day at 2:30 p.m. "to avoid traffic congestion for inauguration of IFFI".

A day after mining truck owners, protesting against a possible ban on export of iron ore, tried to choke Panaji and Margao with mining trucks Tuesday, the state government has imposed a temporary ban on heavy vehicles in and around the inauguration venue located in Chief Minister Digambar Kamat's constituency.

South Goa district collector Sandip Jacques "in the interest of public safety" Wednesday announced the temporary ban on the entry of all heavy goods vehicles except those carrying essential goods like milk, vegetables, fuel and grocery items into Margao municipal limits.

The road leading to the IFFI screening venue at the Inox multiplex in Panaji has also been banned for vehicular traffic.