CHENNAI: With thousands of people expected to leave Chennai for their hometowns for Ayudha Puja and Diwali, the state transport department has announced 30,622 bus services to ease the rush. The department has also made additional arrangements at key bus terminals.For Ayudha Puja, 14,963 buses will be operated from Chennai between Oct 15 and 18. These include 6,199 special buses. For Diwali, 15,659 buses would operated between Nov 5 and 7, including 9,086 special buses, transport minister A Vijay Tamilan Parthiban said on Tuesday.The department will also operate 9,191 buses to Chennai on Oct 20 and 21 after Ayudha Puja and 11,197 buses on Nov 9 and 10 after Diwali to accommodate returning passengers.Kilambakkam’s Kalaignar Centenary Bus Terminus will handle services to Puducherry, Cuddalore, Trichy, Madurai, Tirunelveli, Coimbatore and other destinations in southern and western Tamil Nadu. Buses to Vellore, Kancheepuram, Bengaluru and East Coast Road destinations will operate from Koyambedu. Temporary terminals at Kilambakkam and Maraimalai Nagar will handle services to select destinations, including Tiruvannamalai and the delta districts. Madhavaram will cater to services towards Andhra Pradesh.Fourteen reservation counters will operate at Kilambakkam, Koyambedu and Maraimalai Nagar. Tickets can also be booked through the TNSTC website and mobile app. Round-the-clock control rooms, information centres, electronic display boards and feeder buses between Koyambedu and Kilambakkam will be provided.To prevent congestion on GST Road, transport minister Tamilan Parthiban said, “Motorists are advised to avoid Tambaram and Perungalathur and take alternative routes via OMR, Kelambakkam and Thiruporur or the Vandalur Outer Ring Road.”The minister said private omnibus operators had been instructed not to collect excess fares during the festive season. “Strict action will be taken against operators who violate the instructions,” he said, adding that passengers could report complaints about excess fares through the toll-free number 1800 425 6151 or WhatsApp at 93848 08333.
