The Tamil Nadu State Transport Department has issued an advisory to the public, especially those returning to Chennai after the Pongal holidays, to plan their travel ahead to avoid anticipated traffic congestion on Sunday, January 19.In an official statement, the department urged travelers to adjust their schedules and consider returning earlier to Chennai to prevent getting stuck in severe traffic jams.
The department highlighted that traffic flow on the Trichy-Chennai National Highway is expected to be significantly affected as thousands of people return to Chennai. A high volume of vehicles, including private cars and buses, often leads to long delays on this route during the post-Pongal period.
Critical points on the highway, including Singaperumal Koil, Guduvanchery, Urapakkam, Kilambakkam, Vandalur, Perungalathur, and Tambaram, are expected to witness heavy congestion. These areas typically experience bottlenecks during festival season returns, causing inconvenience to commuters.
The Transport Department has also appealed to private bus operators to ensure smooth scheduling of trips to manage the influx of returning passengers efficiently. Government bus services will operate additional services, but the department emphasized that early travel would minimize discomfort for passengers.
Travelers are advised to stay updated on traffic conditions through real-time updates and plan their return journeys to Chennai accordingly. Returning a day or two earlier than Sunday could help avoid long hours stuck in traffic and ensure a safer, more comfortable journey.
With heavy traffic already anticipated, the department’s appeal aims to ensure smoother transit for everyone heading back to Chennai.