The Tamil Nadu government has announced an extensive transport plan to accommodate the Pongal festival rush, with nearly 22,000 special buses scheduled to operate between January 10 and 13. State Transport Minister S S Sivasankar revealed the arrangements following a review meeting at the Secretariat with officials from transport corporations, traffic police, and CUMTA.A total of 21,904 buses will be in service during the four-day period, including 14,104 buses departing from Chennai. Among these, 5,736 are special buses, while the remaining 8,368 are regular services. The buses will depart from three key termini in the city:
Koyambedu, Kilambakkam and Madhavaram
MTC will also provide round-the-clock services to Kilambakkam to facilitate passenger movement.
To manage the return rush, the transport corporations will operate 15,750 buses between January 15 and 19, including 5,790 special buses to Chennai. An additional 6,926 special buses will connect important destinations across the state. Overall, 22,676 buses will be in service post-Pongal.
Transport Minister Sivasankar stated that the number of travelers leaving Chennai for Pongal this year is estimated to be 7.75 lakh, a significant increase from 6 lakh in 2024. To meet the high demand, private buses will also be contracted as needed.
This comprehensive plan aims to ensure a smooth and comfortable travel experience for passengers heading to their native places to celebrate Pongal, one of Tamil Nadu’s most significant festivals.