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TN Announces Special Rail-Bus Services for Chitra Pournami Festival

Tamil Nadu has announced extensive transport arrangements for the Chitra Pournami festival at Tiruvannamalai, expecting 25 lakh devotees. Southern Railway will run unreserved special trains and MEMU services on key routes from May 1-3. The Transport Department will deploy 1,613 special buses from Chennai, including 40 air-conditioned SETC buses. The coordinated plan aims to ensure smooth and hassle-free travel for pilgrims during the full-moon gathering.

Key Points: Chitra Pournami: Special Trains, Buses for 25 Lakh Devotees

  • 25 lakh devotees expected for Chitra Pournami
  • Special unreserved trains on Villupuram-Tiruvannamalai route
  • 1,613 special buses from Chennai
  • MEMU services at early hours
  • 40 AC SETC buses deployed from KCBT
2 min read

TN: Special rail-bus service announced for Chitra Pournami Festival

Tamil Nadu rolls out special train and bus services for Chitra Pournami at Tiruvannamalai. Over 1,600 buses and MEMU trains to manage 25 lakh pilgrims.

"The coordinated transport plan is aimed at ensuring safe, efficient and hassle-free travel for devotees - TN Transport Officials"

Chennai, April 30

With an estimated 25 lakh devotees set to participate in this year's Chitra Pournami girivalam at Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, authorities have rolled out extensive transport arrangements, including special train and bus services, to manage the massive influx of pilgrims.

The Southern Railway has announced a series of unreserved special trains and MEMU services on the Villupuram-Tiruvannamalai and Katpadi-Tiruvannamalai-Villupuram sections for three days starting May 1, aiming to ease travel for devotees undertaking the sacred circumambulation of the Arunachala hill.

According to railway officials, unreserved special trains between Villupuram and Tiruvannamalai will depart Villupuram at 10 a.m. and 9.15 p.m. on May 1 and May 2, reaching Tiruvannamalai at 11.45 a.m. and 10.45 p.m. respectively. In the return direction, trains will leave Tiruvannamalai at 12.15 p.m. on the same days and arrive in Villupuram at 1.45 p.m.

In addition, MEMU special services have been scheduled to cater to early morning passengers. Tiruvannamalai-Villupuram MEMU trains will depart at 2 a.m. on May 1, 2 and 3, reaching Villupuram by 4 a.m. Further connectivity is ensured through Villupuram-Katpadi MEMU services departing Villupuram at 10.40 p.m. on May 1 and May 2, arriving at Katpadi at 1.50 a.m. the next day. The return MEMU trains from Katpadi will leave at 2.05 a.m. on May 1, 2 and 3, reaching Villupuram at 5 a.m.

On the road transport front, the Tamil Nadu Transport Department has announced a massive deployment of 1,613 special buses from Chennai to Tiruvannamalai during the festival period. In total, 11,823 buses, including regular services, will operate from Chennai and other parts of the state to ensure the smooth movement of pilgrims.

A significant number of services will originate from Kilambakkam's Kalaignar Centenary Bus Terminus (KCBT), with 565 buses scheduled on May 1 and 35 on May 2.

From the Madhavaram Mofussil Bus Terminus (MMBT), 174 buses will run on May 1. Additionally, 105 special buses will be operated from Adyar over two days to handle city traffic demand.

To enhance comfort, 40 air-conditioned SETC buses will be deployed from KCBT to Tiruvannamalai on May 1, alongside regular long-distance services.

Officials said the coordinated transport plan is aimed at ensuring safe, efficient and hassle-free travel for devotees attending one of the largest full-moon pilgrimage gatherings in Tamil Nadu.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Good initiative but why only unreserved trains? With so many senior citizens and women devotees, wouldn't reserved coaches be safer? The MEMU timing at 2am is also a bit impractical for families with children. Still, appreciate the attempt to manage the crowd.
M
Michael C
As a foreigner who attended the Chitra Pournami last year, I'm impressed by the scale of this operation. 565 buses from Kilambakkam alone? That's incredible! The devotion of Tamil people is something to witness. I hope the volunteers and police manage the crowds well near the girivalam path.
K
Kavya N
This is wonderful news! My family goes every year and the earlier transport was always a headache. But I wish they had announced it earlier - many of us already booked expensive private buses. Also, what about parking arrangements for those driving? That's always a nightmare near Tiruvannamalai.
J
James A
Impressive logistics! 1,613 special buses from Chennai alone is massive. But I hope the state also focuses on basic amenities at Tiruvannamalai - clean toilets, drinking water stations, and medical camps. Last time I was there during a festival, these facilities were inadequate for the crowd size.
S
Siddharth J
Great to see coordinated efforts between Southern Railway and Tamil Nadu Transport. The 40 AC SETC buses are a nice touch for those willing to pay extra. But I'm curious about the ticketing - will there be online booking for these special buses? Otherwise the queue at terminals will be chaotic.

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