Mass Exodus From Chennai For Diwali: 15 Lakh People Leave City In Three Days Over 15 lakh people traveled out of Chennai to celebrate Diwali with their families within a span of three days. Massive crowds gathered at bus terminals and railway stations as authorities operated thousands of special buses and trains. 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. What this means for you The massive exodus of travelers from Chennai during Diwali had a direct impact on public transport networks and commuting schedules. • Public Transport: Extreme overcrowding at railway stations and bus terminals caused severe inconvenience to travelers. Additional strain was witnessed on ticket availability and seat management compared to normal days. • In Chennai: Buses at the Kilambakkam bus terminal departed two hours behind schedule, leaving commuters uncertain about their arrival times. Local travelers faced delays and extended waiting periods while embarking on long-distance journeys. Why this happened The massive departure of people from Chennai during the festive season was driven by traditional preferences to celebrate Diwali with family and loved ones. • Family Gatherings: People headed towards regions like southern Tamil Nadu and Kerala to celebrate the Diwali festival alongside their families in their hometowns. • Transport Management: To accommodate the surging demand, the transport department and Southern Railways operated thousands of special buses and additional trains. • Security Measures: Strict checks were enforced by the Railway Protection Force at railway stations against passengers carrying unauthorized items like firecrackers. Questions & Answers 1. How many people traveled out of Chennai for Diwali? Over 15 lakh passengers traveled out of Chennai during the three-day period between November 5 and November 7. 2. How many passengers used government buses? A total of 5.15 lakh passengers traveled using government-run buses over the three days. 3. How many special trains were operated by Southern Railways? Southern Railways operated 132 special trains on the occasion of Diwali. 4. What difficulties did passengers face at the Kilambakkam bus terminal? Several buses arrived approximately two hours behind schedule, causing inconvenience to travelers. 5. How many people were caught by the RPF during checks? The Railway Protection Force apprehended five individuals on November 6 for carrying firecrackers. https://trendkia.com/en/travel/divali-para-chennai-se-bahara-jane-ka-mahabhiyana-tina-dina-men-15-lakh-logon-ne-chhora-shahara-57822 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.