In preparation for the upcoming Maha Shivaratri festival and the ensuing extended weekend, Tamil Nadu transport authorities have announced the deployment of 1,240 special buses from Chennai to various destinations within the state and neighboring areas. With Maha Shivaratri falling on a Sunday, a significant influx of devotees is expected to visit temples and return to their hometowns.
To manage the anticipated surge in passengers, the state’s transport corporations have put in place comprehensive arrangements to prevent overcrowding and ensure a seamless travel experience. Special bus services will primarily run from Kilambakkam bus terminus in Chennai to key locations such as Tiruvannamalai, Tiruchi, Kumbakonam, Madurai, Tirunelveli, and Nagercoil.
The Rapid Transport Corporation has confirmed that 125 special buses will operate today from Kilambakkam, with a substantial increase planned over the next two days. Tomorrow, 500 buses are scheduled, followed by 550 buses the day after to handle the peak rush effectively. Additional services will also be available from the Koyambedu bus terminus, with 55 special buses planned for each of the next two days to destinations like Tiruvannamalai, Nagapattinam, Velankanni, Hosur, and Bengaluru, catering to both pilgrims and intercity travelers.
To enhance connectivity beyond Chennai, the Express Transport Corporation will run 100 special buses daily from Bengaluru, Tiruppur, Erode, and Coimbatore to various locations across Tamil Nadu. Moreover, 20 special buses will operate from Madhavaram on both days to facilitate travel to southern districts. These measures aim to alleviate congestion on regular bus services and ensure a safer and more efficient travel experience for festival attendees.
In addition, return services are planned for Sunday, with extra buses operating from different towns back to Chennai and Bengaluru to facilitate a comfortable journey home for passengers post-celebrations. The Director of the Government Express Transport Corporation highlighted that bus deployment will be adjusted dynamically based on passenger demand, with the possibility of adding more services if needed. These special arrangements are expected to offer much-needed relief and streamline festival travel for the multitude of commuters expected at temples and across Tamil Nadu.
