Over 15 lakh passengers leave Chennai for Diwali holidays
More than 15 lakh people travelled by bus and train from Chennai between November 5 and 7 to reach their hometowns.
More than 15 lakh passengers travelled out of Chennai by government and private buses and trains between November 5 and 7 for Diwali, according to The Times of India. This exodus included nearly seven lakh people using buses and approximately three lakh people travelling by train.
The transport department planned 15,659 services over the three-day period. On Saturday, 3,319 government buses carried 1.35 lakh passengers by 8 pm. The All Omni Bus Owners Association president, A Anbalagan, stated that private operators ran more than 4,717 buses, transporting over 1.8 lakh passengers during the same period.
Southern Railway operated 132 special trains, carrying around three lakh passengers daily from stations including Chennai Central, Egmore, and Tambaram. The Railway Protection Force apprehended five individuals for carrying firecrackers at Chennai Central and Egmore on November 6.
At the Kilambakkam terminus, some passengers reported delays of at least two hours. A passenger, S Rajesh Kumar, said his family might only reach Tenkasi on Diwali afternoon due to late arrivals. Another traveller, R Darshini, noted that some people were told buses were full despite arriving early.
Transport Minister A Vijay Tamilan Parthiban inspected major bus termini on Friday. Addressing requests for more services to Hosur and Polur at the Koyambedu Bus Terminus, the minister said the government would make the necessary arrangements.