Chennai, Apr 2:
In view of the extended weekend and anticipated surge in passenger movement, the Tamil Nadu government has announced the operation of 1,194 special buses from Chennai to various parts of the state and neighbouring regions.
The initiative aims to manage heavy travel demand as people head to their hometowns and tourist destinations during the continuous three-day holiday period, which includes Good Friday.
Transport officials said that a large number of passengers are expected to travel out of Chennai, particularly from major bus termini such as Kilambakkam, Koyambedu, and Madhavaram. Special buses will be operated from Kilambakkam to key destinations including Tiruvannamalai, Tiruchirappalli, Kumbakonam, Madurai, Tirunelveli, Nagercoil, and Coimbatore.
Additional services will also run from Koyambedu towards Tiruvannamalai, Nagapattinam, Velankanni, Hosur, and Bengaluru, ensuring connectivity across both intra-state and inter-state routes.
Further arrangements have been made to operate buses from Madhavaram over the three-day period to cater to the increasing passenger flow.
In addition to services from Chennai, around 200 special buses will be operated from other major cities such as Bengaluru, Tiruppur, Erode, and Coimbatore, reflecting a coordinated effort to manage statewide travel demand during the holiday rush.
To facilitate the return of passengers after the weekend, the transport department has planned to operate approximately 735 special buses on Sunday from various destinations back to Chennai and Bengaluru.
Officials noted that these return services are crucial to prevent congestion and ensure smooth travel for those heading back after the holidays.
In total, more than 2,200 special bus services have been planned during this period, significantly boosting the usual schedule. Authorities have urged passengers to plan their journeys in advance and make use of the additional services to avoid last-minute inconvenience, as bus stands across the city are expected to witness heavy crowds throughout the holiday weekend.