The Tamil Nadu government has established extra transport options to make it easier for people to get home as Pongal draws near and travel plans increase around the state. As thousands prepare to leave cities - particularly Chennai - for their hometowns and villages, the Transport Department has announced that more than 10,000 special buses will run between January 9 and January 14, aiming to ease crowding and make holiday travel smoother and safer for passengers. The announcement was made by Transport Minister S.S. Sivasankar, who said the additional services are aimed at easing congestion, preventing fare exploitation and providing reliable connectivity for lakhs of passengers heading home to celebrate Pongal with their families. When combined with the 12,552 buses that operate daily, the total number of buses on Tamil Nadu’s roads during the peak festive window will rise sharply to 34,087, one of the highest-ever deployments for a festival period.
Heavy rush expected from Chennai
Officials expect the bulk of the festive movement to originate from Chennai, where a large migrant workforce and student population typically travel to their native districts ahead of Pongal. According to estimates shared by the Transport Department, around 11.35 lakh passengers are likely to travel from Chennai alone during the six-day window.
How the special bus services are planned?
The government has released a date-wise break-up of the special services to give passengers clarity while planning their journeys.
- January 9: 1,050 special buses
- January 10: 1,030 special buses
- January 11: 255 special buses
- January 12: 2,200 special buses
- January 13: 2,790 special buses
- January 14: 2,920 special buses
Officials said the increase towards the later dates reflects the traditional travel pattern, as many families prefer to begin their journey closer to the main Pongal celebrations.
Strict action on overcharging by private operators
Alongside increasing capacity, the government has issued a strong warning to omni bus operators against charging fares above the prescribed limits. Past festive seasons have seen complaints of passengers being forced to pay inflated fares, sometimes double or triple the usual rates. The Transport Minister said enforcement teams will be deployed at bus stands, check posts and key transit corridors to monitor fares and take action against violations. Operators found overcharging risk penalties, suspension of permits and other legal action. Passengers have been encouraged to report complaints immediately rather than after completing their journeys.
24-hour control room for passenger support
Officials will be on duty 24x7 to handle complaints related to overcrowding, cancellations, fare issues and delays. Authorities said the control room will also coordinate with district transport officials to deploy additional buses at short notice if unexpected surges occur on specific routes.
Separate plan for the return rush
The government has also prepared a dedicated plan for the return journey to Chennai and other major cities after Pongal. Between January 15 and the days immediately following, the department will operate 6,820 special buses, in addition to 2,092 regular daily services. Including the usual 12,552 buses, a total of 21,635 buses will be on the roads to handle the post-festival rush, which traditionally peaks within two to three days after Pongal. Officials said return services will be dynamically adjusted based on passenger flow to avoid long waiting times at bus terminals.
The Transport Department has stressed that the emphasis this year is not just on capacity, but also on safe, affordable and orderly travel. Bus crews have been instructed to adhere strictly to safety norms, while regional officers have been asked to ensure proper maintenance and availability of backup vehicles. “Pongal is a time of family reunions. Our priority is to ensure that people reach home safely, without stress or exploitation,” the Minister said. Passengers are advised to plan their journeys early, check official transport updates, and avoid last-minute travel wherever possible during peak hours.
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