Hundreds of commuters were left stranded and forced to walk long distances in the scorching heat in Tiruchirappalli after bus services were reportedly curtailed and diverted ahead of Chief Minister Vijay’s scheduled visit to the city, triggering widespread frustration among the public.
According to reports showing multiple commuters, buses travelling towards key destinations including Chatram Bus Stand, Tiruchi Junction, Singarathoppu and the Government Hospital were stopped at Mambazha Salai and Tollgate areas several hours before the Chief Minister’s arrival, forcing passengers to disembark and continue their journeys on foot.
Several passengers complained that Vijay was expected to arrive only in the evening, yet traffic restrictions and bus diversions had been imposed from late morning itself. Many said they were not informed in advance that buses would be terminated midway and were only told to get down after purchasing tickets and boarding the vehicles.
Residents travelling from Ariyalur, Musiri, Srirangam and surrounding districts said they were forced to walk distances ranging from 1.5 kilometres to more than 4 kilometres while carrying luggage, young children and personal belongings. Elderly passengers and women reportedly struggled in the intense heat, with some unable to continue walking and forced to sit by the roadside.
One commuter attempting to reach Singarathoppu said he had been dropped at Mambazha Salai and had no transport available to complete the remaining journey of over four kilometres. Others travelling to Coimbatore, Tiruchi Junction and Chatram Bus Stand voiced similar complaints, saying buses that normally proceeded to their destinations were being stopped prematurely because of the Chief Minister’s visit.
Passengers also alleged that neither transport officials nor police personnel provided clear explanations regarding the restrictions. Many claimed that when they sought clarification, they were repeatedly directed from one official to another without receiving a definite answer or any alternative travel arrangements.
A government hospital employee travelling from the Musiri region said he was required to report for duty by noon but was dropped midway and left uncertain about whether he would be able to reach work on time. He expressed concern about losing wages or facing disciplinary action despite having already paid his fare and boarded the bus.
“விஜய்க்கு ஓட்டு போட்டீங்கல்ல நடந்தே போக சொல்றாங்க..” “CM வராருன்னு பஸ் நிறுத்திட்டாங்க..” மக்கள் வேதனை பேட்டி
#trichy #cmvisit pic.twitter.com/AoFcQVMBLo
— Thanthi TV (@ThanthiTV) June 1, 2026
Parents travelling with schoolchildren were particularly affected. Some pointed out that the disruptions coincided with school reopening, making travel even more difficult for families returning to their hometowns after the holidays. Several passengers questioned why children were being forced to walk long distances under the afternoon sun simply because of a political event.
Many commuters criticised the lack of prior notice, arguing that passengers could have made alternate arrangements had they been informed earlier that buses would not operate along the affected routes. Instead, they said, passengers were allowed to board buses, tickets were collected, and they were subsequently ordered to disembark midway through their journeys.
விஜய் திருச்சி வருகை, பேருந்து சேவைகள் பாதிப்பு.#tvk #vijay #visit #trichy #nobus #facilities #people #suffering @actorvijay @TVKVijayHQ pic.twitter.com/gWWxULl5WV
— kalangarai vilakkam (@Kalang_vilakkam) June 1, 2026
The disruption sparked criticism of the TVK government’s governance model, with several commuters drawing comparisons between the promises of “good change” and “alternative politics” made during the election campaign and the hardships faced by ordinary people during the Chief Minister’s visit. Some questioned whether the restrictions had been ordered directly by the administration or were the result of decisions taken by local officials, while others said the public should not be inconvenienced to such an extent for a political programme.
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