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Chennai: In a massive logistical exercise aimed at managing the annual festive exodus, the Tamil Nadu government has announced a comprehensive plan to operate over 20,000 special buses for the Diwali season. The initiative, unveiled by Transport Minister S.S. Sivasankar, will see 20,378 special buses crisscrossing the state from October 16th to 19th, facilitating travel for an estimated 7.4 lakh passengers returning to their hometowns for the festival of lights, which is celebrated on October 20th. This pre-emptive measure is designed to ensure safe, convenient, and organized travel for the public during one of the busiest periods of the year.

How Many Buses Are Planned for Pre and Post-Diwali Travel?

The transportation plan has been structured around the peak travel dates. For the four days leading up to Diwali, from October 16th to 19th, the state transport corporation will operate a total of 14,268 buses from Chennai alone. This fleet includes 5,710 special buses supplementing the regular daily services. An additional 6,110 special buses will originate from other cities across Tamil Nadu, all headed towards Chennai, bringing the pre-festival total to 20,378 buses.

To manage the return flow after the celebrations, a separate schedule is in place from October 21st to 23rd. During this period, 15,129 buses will be deployed, which includes 4,253 special buses bound for Chennai and 4,600 special buses serving other inter-district routes.

What Are the Key Departure Points and Routes from Chennai?

To decentralize traffic and streamline operations, the government has designated specific departure points for different destinations. The Kalaignar Centenary Bus Terminus (KCBT) at Kalapet will be the primary hub for buses heading to Puducherry, Cuddalore, Chidambaram, and major southern destinations like Trichy, Madurai, Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, as well as western districts including Salem and Coimbatore.

The Koyambedu MGR Bus Stand will cater to passengers traveling along the East Coast Road (ECR), and to destinations such as Kanchipuram, Vellore, Bengaluru, and Tiruttani. Furthermore, the Madhavaram Bus Stand will handle services towards Andhra Pradesh via routes like Ponneri and Uthukottai, in addition to regular services to Trichy, Salem, and Tiruvannamalai.

How Can Passengers Book Tickets and Navigate Traffic?

In a bid to offer seamless service, the transport department has significantly augmented its ticketing infrastructure. Ten dedicated booking counters will operate from 7 am to 9 pm at the Kalaignar Centenary Bus Terminal from October 16th to 19th, with two additional counters at the Koyambedu MGR Bus Stand. Passengers are strongly encouraged to utilize digital booking platforms to avoid queues, including the official TNSTC website (www.tnstc.in) and the TNSTC mobile application.

To alleviate the expected road congestion, the transport minister issued a crucial advisory, requesting private vehicle owners to avoid the perennially clogged Tambaram and Perungalathur routes. Motorists are advised to use alternative pathways such as the Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) via Kelambakkam and Thiruporur, or the Vandalur Outer Ring Road to connect to Chengalpattu.

Where Can Travelers Seek Help or Report Grievances?

A robust passenger support system has been activated for the festive season. A 24-hour control room has been established and can be contacted at 94450 14436 for all queries related to bus schedules and movements. For complaints concerning private omni buses, especially issues like overcharging, separate helplines have been set up, including the toll-free number 1800 425 6151 and the landline numbers 044-24749002, 044-26280445, and 044-26281611.

Additionally, ‘May I Help You’ information kiosks will be stationed at major bus stands, and 24/7 connecting shuttle services will run between key terminals to assist passengers with their inter-terminal transit, ensuring a safe and hassle-free Diwali journey for all.