The festive spirit of Diwali 2025 has triggered a monumental travel rush in Chennai, with city roads and transportation terminals overwhelmed. Residents eager to celebrate the festival with their families are driving a sharp increase in passenger numbers, causing significant congestion.
The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) has responded to the demand by launching 20,378 special bus services from Chennai. Alongside the regular 2,092 buses, these additional services are vital for transporting thousands to their hometowns in southern and western districts. Reports indicate that over the last three days, more than 615,000 passengers have traveled by government buses from the city.
On Saturday alone, approximately 256,000 passengers embarked on journeys via both regular and special bus services. Despite these extensive efforts, bus terminals continue to be swamped, and passengers often face lengthy queues and delays.
The scene at Chennai’s major railway stations—Central, Egmore, and Tambaram—mirrors the situation at bus stands, with all southbound trains packed to capacity. The proliferation of private vehicles has also contributed to gridlock on arterial roads like GST Road, creating extensive traffic jams that stretch for kilometers.
Official estimates predict that roughly 1.8 million people have departed Chennai for Diwali. This massive movement comprises approximately 950,000 by train, 615,000 by government bus, 200,000 by omnibus, and 150,000 by private car. This significant exodus underscores the importance of family reunions during the festival.