Chennai, Jan 3 (NationPress) As the Pongal festival draws near, the government of Tamil Nadu is gearing up to tackle the expected surge in travel throughout the state, especially from urban areas to rural and semi-urban locales.

With a significant increase in passenger traffic anticipated during this festive period, officials are planning to deploy numerous special buses. A high-level review meeting is scheduled for January 6 to finalize these arrangements.

Tamil Nadu's Transport Department has indicated that approximately 1,600 additional buses will likely be added during this peak travel phase. These special services will complement the regular fleet managed by the State Transport Undertakings, facilitating smoother travel during one of the most hectic seasons of the year.

Moreover, in addition to increasing the number of government-operated buses, the state is contemplating the option of renting private buses to accommodate excess demand. This initiative aims to prevent overcrowding at bus terminals and alleviate the challenges faced by passengers, particularly families traveling long distances to celebrate Pongal in their hometowns.

Despite the festival being nearly two weeks away, there is a noticeable spike in demand for travel tickets. Reports indicate that bus tickets for several routes, particularly those linking Chennai with southern and western districts, are already sold out.

A similar pattern is evident in the railways, where tickets for key long-distance trains are filling up well in advance. To relieve some of the pressure, Southern Railway has announced the introduction of special trains on selected routes during the Pongal period.

These additional services are expected to serve passengers journeying to major destinations across Tamil Nadu and nearby states, where many migrant workers and students reside.

Transport officials stated that the January 6 meeting will evaluate passenger demand trends, finalize routes for special buses, and determine the duration of the enhanced services. Crowd management strategies at major bus terminals and railway stations will also be discussed, along with coordination efforts between the transport and police departments.

Pongal, one of the most significant festivals in Tamil Nadu, typically witnesses a mass migration of people returning to their homes. With early indicators of robust demand already apparent, authorities are optimistic that timely planning and increased services will facilitate safer and more comfortable travel for millions of passengers during the festive season.