With Deepavali just around the corner, it is obvious that many people would be leaving Chennai to their native places across Tamil Nadu.
It is now said that more than 10 lakhs would be leaving Chennai by buses and trains to their natives in Tamil Nadu this weekend. As many as 4200 special buses would be in action and this would be in addition to the regular buses that would be operated from CMBT in Koyambedu and from other temporary bus stands in places like Tambaram, KK. Nagar and Poonamallee etc in Chennai. This was highlighted by the state transport minister Mr. SS. Sivasankar.
To go to their homes in the govt buses from Chennai, more than one lakh persons have booked their tickets online. This was according to data from the transport department. From Friday, the transport department will open 11 ticket reservation counters at Koyambedu, MEPZ Tambaram etc.
During the festival weekends, more than 4lakhs persons would normally arrive at various transit hubs in Chennai. It is clear that efforts are being made to operate additional buses ( by diverting MTC buses on long distance routes) to counter the increase in the demand at the last minute. Between Friday night and Sunday, another one lakh persons would be leaving Chennai to their natives in private omni buses.
Around 2.2 lakhs persons have booked their train tickets to travel in the 60 trains from Chennai Egmore and Chennai Central railway stations. In the unreserved coaches, these trains would be able to accommodate additional 35000 passengers also. It is learnt that the railways would be operating 2 more special trains from Chennai to Tirunelveli and Thanjavur. Tuesday would be a closed holiday and the government has already announced that.
Many people, especially daily wage workers, would be benefited if the Southern Railways or SR would operate couple antyodaya express trains from Central or Tambaram in Chennai. This was according to Mr. Rama Rao belonging to Chennai Traffic and Transport Forum or TTF. These daily workers receive their deepavali bonus or salary only at the last minute and therefore their issues must also be considered.