Dravidian Model: Confusion And Chaos For Passengers Travelling From Chennai To Hometowns In TN Govt Buses

As Deepavali approaches on 31 October 2024, many passengers are heading to their hometowns to celebrate the festival with their families, resulting in a significant rush across town. Despite the DMK government’s promise to operate special bus services starting 28 October 2024, passengers at Kilambakkam bus terminus are facing major challenges, including internet outages, heavy traffic, and inflated fares from private buses. Commuters at Koyambedu faced inadequate responses from government bus staff.

On 21 October 2024, Transport Minister SS Sivasankar announced that 14,016 buses, including 11,176 special buses, would be deployed from Chennai to various parts of the state between 28 and 30 October for passengers returning home. He mentioned that a total of 7,740 special buses would be available statewide during this period.

“In addition to the regular daily services of 2,092 buses from the city, we will operate 4,900 special buses from Chennai. From other areas in the state, we will provide 2,910 buses over the three days,” he stated. The special buses will depart from bus terminuses in Chennai, including Koyambedu, Kilambakkam, and Madhavaram.

An elderly commuter shared her frustrations with the media, stating, “I need to go to Pattukottai, since I couldn’t travel that far, I came here. They put up a board saying we could go via Kumbakonam. Outside, they said on platform 2 that Kumbakonam bus is available, but here everyone says they don’t know. What’s all this? They are making people wander around like this. Doesn’t the government have a responsibility to do this properly? Why is there a government here? Is it to make people wander? Will they make us wander like this? Look at how many are standing and wandering around. If we ask him, he says this bus won’t go to Kumbakonam, and there is no bus to Kumbakonam here then why do they issue statements on TV? Did you hear what they said on TV? They said all buses will go from Koyambedu from the 28th to the 31st. I have been struggling here for one hour but no bus. Tell me an answer for this? Why should the government announce things like this?”

The elderly woman expressed her frustration, saying the government only showcases their measures on TV, but in reality, nothing is being done. She also questioned why the staff at the bus terminal respond that they don’t know where the buses are when they should be helping. “The entire administration is failing,” she lamented.

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