As Diwali 2025 approaches, Chennai is witnessing an enormous surge in travel as residents head home to celebrate. This annual migration has led to exceptionally crowded roads and packed transportation terminals, with excitement for family reunions reaching a fever pitch.
The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) has significantly augmented its services, introducing 20,378 special buses from Chennai to cater to the massive influx of travelers. These special services, in addition to the standard 2,092 buses, are crucial in moving thousands of passengers to various districts, especially in the southern and western regions.
Recent figures show a staggering number of people opting for bus travel, with over 615,000 passengers using government buses from Chennai in the past three days. Saturday saw a peak, with around 256,000 passengers using bus services. However, the increased capacity hasn’t prevented overwhelming crowds at bus stands, leading to long waiting times for many.
Chennai’s major railway stations, including Central, Egmore, and Tambaram, are equally affected, with all southbound trains fully occupied. The increase in private vehicle usage has further compounded traffic congestion on key highways such as GST Road, resulting in slow-moving traffic for extended periods.
Official estimates project that approximately 1.8 million people are traveling out of Chennai for the Diwali festivities. This includes an estimated 950,000 by train, 615,000 by government buses, 200,000 by omnibuses, and 150,000 by private vehicles. This large-scale movement highlights the deep-rooted tradition of celebrating Deepavali with family.