The eagerness to celebrate Diwali with loved ones triggered a massive wave of travelers departing from Chennai to their hometowns. In a span of three days between November 5 and November 7, more than 15 lakh passengers traveled out of the city via buses and trains. During this period, heavy crowds thronged the city's major bus terminals and railway stations. Around seven lakh passengers journeyed through state-run and private buses, while millions of others reached their destinations using trains and private vehicles.
Immense Pressure On Public Transport Networks
The rush of passengers surged rapidly from Friday ahead of the festival and the homecoming momentum continued through Saturday. The heavy influx of travelers heading towards various regions, including southern Tamil Nadu and Kerala to celebrate with families, placed substantial pressure on the transportation system. According to transport department data, a total of 5.15 lakh passengers traveled via government buses over the three days. On Thursday, 1.40 lakh passengers traveled on state buses, followed by 2.39 lakh passengers on Friday. By 8 PM on Saturday, 3,319 buses were operated, carrying about 1.35 lakh passengers. To manage the festive rush, the transport department had arranged a total of 15,659 bus services, comprising 5,743 regular buses, 4,405 special government buses, and 1,013 privately contracted buses.
Delays At Terminals And Private Operator Surge
Despite the operation of additional buses, passengers faced considerable hardships at the Kilambakkam bus terminal. Several buses arrived roughly two hours behind schedule, causing particular distress to long-distance travelers. Passengers appreciated the seating arrangements and other facilities available at the bus terminal, but uncertainty persisted regarding arrival times at their destinations due to delayed bus departures. Private bus operators also recorded heavy passenger demand during the festival, operating over 4,717 services across the three days and transporting more than 1.80 lakh travelers to their destinations. Roughly 56,800 passengers traveled by private buses on Thursday, 75,900 on Friday, and about 56,000 on Saturday.
Special Railway Arrangements And Strict Security
The railways also made special arrangements to accommodate the extra passenger rush during the festive season. Southern Railways operated 132 special trains on the occasion of Diwali. Around three lakh passengers traveled daily from the Chennai Central, Egmore, and Tambaram railway stations. Additionally, extra coaches were attached to 22 mail and express trains, while eight unreserved MEMU services were launched for traveler convenience. Security arrangements at railway stations were also tightened. On November 6, the Railway Protection Force apprehended five individuals at the Chennai Central and Egmore stations for allegedly carrying firecrackers. The massive outflow of travelers from Chennai during Diwali once again highlighted the immense demand for public transport services during festivals, even as bus delays and terminal crowds remained challenging.
