Chennai’s Tambaram region endured a chaotic 48 hours during the recent extended weekend, as residents sought to escape the city for other parts of the state. The situation was compounded by train cancellations and diversions, including long-distance services, due to yard remodeling work at Tambaram. This left many passengers stranded, particularly those traveling to southern districts like Madurai, Trichy, Tirunelveli, and Tuticorin. These express trains bypassed Tambaram, forcing passengers from the southern parts of the city and its suburbs to travel to Chengalpet to catch their trains.
The partial suspension of suburban train services on the Chennai Beach-Tambaram-Chengalpet route further aggravated the situation, leaving commuters reliant on Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) buses. While MTC operated 70 additional services from Pallavaram, Tambaram, and Guduvanchery, these buses were trapped in severe traffic snarls. The roads were clogged with cars and private buses, which enjoyed the advantage of picking up passengers at multiple points within the city.
In contrast, government mofussil and A/C sleeper buses departed only from the Kalaignar Centenary Bus Terminus (KCBT) in Kilambakkam. The combination of train disruptions and road congestion created a perfect storm of travel chaos for residents. As the first extended weekend of the season, with the festive season approaching, residents are urging the government, Southern Railway, and Tambaram police to devise a comprehensive plan to manage future travel surges.
Adding to the woes, private bus operators capitalized on the situation by doubling ticket fares, with one-way travel to cities like Madurai costing upwards of 3,500 rupees on Wednesday night. Despite inspections by state transport department officials, which resulted in cases being filed against a few operators and fines of 50,000 rupees, most buses continued to overcharge passengers.
“This inspection drama during every festival is just an eyewash,” said D Chidambaram, who paid 2,500 rupees to travel from Chennai to Thanjavur. “Enforcement teams just book a few cases against these operators for show when the bus fares are openly displayed on apps and websites such as RedBus and AbhiBus.”
The chaotic situation highlights the need for better coordination and planning between the government, transportation authorities, and law enforcement to effectively manage travel demands during peak periods. Residents are demanding a more proactive approach to prevent similar situations in the future.
