Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa announces 12,624 special buses for Pongal

CHENNAI: Chief Minister Jayalalithaa today said she has ordered operating 12,624 special buses across Tamil Nadu by State-run transport corporations for the Pongal festival commencing from January 9.

She has also directed authorities to ensure that private bus operators charge only the fixed fare and take tough action if complaints of over-charging were received.

Special buses for Pongal festival to facilitate travel of the public to their native places has a good response, Jayalalithaa said in an official release here.

"I have, ordered operating special buses for Pongal festival this year too," she said.

From January 9-14, 12,624 special buses will be operated from here and all other important towns and cities to all other destinations in the state to faciliate travel before Pongal festival which falls on January 15.

Similarly, same number of buses will be operated from January 15 to 19 so that people can return.

In Chennai, during the same period, 600 special buses will be run and on the day of Kaanum Pongal on January 17, 200 additional special buses will be operated to destinations like Marina beach, Vandalur Zoo, and Mamallapuram.

Also, 25 special counters will be set up in the Koyambedu Moffusil Bus Terminus here to facilitate advance bookings besides the online booking facility through the website www.tnstc.in, she said.

Complaints against over-charging by private bus operators can be made at 044-24794709, the office of the State Express Transport Corporation, she added.