Pongal 2026: Tamil Nadu Govt Plans Special Buses; Key Review Meeting on January 6
With Pongal festival set to be celebrated on January 15, the Tamil Nadu Government is preparing to operate special bus services to facilitate the massive festive travel across the state.
Every year, people living in major cities such as Chennai and Coimbatore travel in large numbers to their native places to celebrate Pongal with family. This year too, bus and train tickets have already been sold out, leading to the need for additional transport arrangements.
Special Bus Operations Plan
- To ensure passenger convenience during the festive rush:
- The Tamil Nadu government plans to operate around 1,600 special buses
- A high-level review meeting to finalise arrangements will be held on January 6
Authorities are considering hiring private buses, which could further increase the number of special services
Special buses are traditionally operated during major festivals such as Pongal and Deepavali to manage peak travel demand and reduce overcrowding at bus terminals.
Focus on Passenger Safety & Smooth Travel
- Transport officials are expected to discuss:
- Route planning and scheduling
- Crowd management at major bus stands
- Coordination with police and district administrations
The combined deployment of special buses and trains aims to ensure safe, smooth, and hassle-free travel for lakhs of passengers during the Pongal holidays.
