CHENNAI: Transport Minister SS Sivasankar on Tuesday said that more than 21,500 special buses would be operated across Tamil Nadu between January 9 and 14 to manage the Pongal festival rush, in addition to the regular services.
He spoke to reporters at the Secretariat after reviewing the Pongal special bus operations with officials of State Transport Undertakings (STUs), the police, Highways Department, and agencies including CMDA and district revenue officers.
“Around 10,245 special buses will be operated from Chennai during the festival, along with 11,290 special services from major towns to district headquarters. Combined with the 12,552 regular services, around 34,087 buses will be in operation during the peak days,” he stated.
Special services will operate from Kalaignar Centenary Bus Terminus, Kilambakkam, to destinations including Tiruchy, Madurai, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Coimbatore, Salem, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur, Puducherry, Cuddalore and Chidambaram. Additional services will run from CMBT, Koyambedu, and Madhavaram, including routes to Bengaluru, Tiruttani and parts of Andhra Pradesh.
For the return journey to Chennai after Pongal, 6,820 special buses will operate between January 16 and 19 along with regular services of 8,368 buses. For other district headquarters, the corporations will operate 9,820 special buses. After Pongal, the corporation all together will operate 25,008 buses including 16,640 special buses.
Call 94450 14436 (24x7 helpline) to get details on bus operations, and also to file complaints related to State transport buses. Complaints regarding overcharging by omni buses can be made through the toll-free number 1800 425 6151 or landlines (044) 24749002, 26280445 and 26281611.