Chennai: In preparation for the Pongal festival, the Tamil Nadu government has announced the operation of a total of 59,095 buses across the state to manage the anticipated surge in passenger traffic, Transport Minister S. S. Sivasankar said on Wednesday.

Special Bus Operations for Pongal

A consultative meeting chaired by the Minister at the Secretariat focused on special arrangements and the operation of additional buses by the transport department during the festival season.

• From Chennai, a total of 34,087 buses will operate between January 9 and 14, including 10,245 special buses in addition to the 2,092 daily scheduled services.
• From other districts, nearly 11,290 special buses will be deployed to various destinations to accommodate festival travel.

For the return journey, which is expected to peak between January 16 and 19, 25,008 buses will be in service:

• Chennai to other destinations: 15,188 buses, including 2,092 daily scheduled and 6,820 special buses.
• Other major towns: 9,820 buses will operate to manage the return flow of passengers.

Ticketing and Passenger Assistance

The transport department has facilitated multiple options for ticket reservations to ensure a smooth travel experience:

• Online booking through the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) mobile app and official website www.tnstc.in.
• Booking via WhatsApp at 94440 18898.
• A 24×7 control room has been established at the Kilambakkam bus terminus for passenger information. Mobile contact for inquiries: 94450 14436.

Additionally, the public has been provided with toll-free numbers to report issues such as excess fare collection by private operators: 1800-425-6151, and landline numbers 044-24749002, 044-26280445, 044-26281611.

Feeder Services and Connectivity

The Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) will operate feeder buses 24 hours a day connecting Koyambedu to Kilambakkam and Madhavaram bus terminuses, ensuring smooth access to long-distance buses for festival travelers.

The extensive deployment of buses and coordinated ticketing and control measures reflect the Tamil Nadu government’s effort to provide safe, efficient, and convenient transport for residents traveling during the Pongal festival season.