MADURAI: Gandhi Jayanti weekend exposed gaps in travel planning in Tamil Nadu, as inadequate number of special buses, steep private bus fares and traffic blocks on roads to tourist destinations like Kodaikanal hit passengers.State transport corporations announced 5,706 special buses for Oct 1-4, but 4,035 departures during the first three days originated from Chennai’s Kilambakkam, Koyambedu and Madhavaram terminals. Only 200 additional buses were separately announced from Bengaluru, Tirupur, Erode and Coimbatore, while no Madurai-origin allocation was specified despite heavy movement across southern districts and tourist routes.Demand was foreseeable, with 64,700 passengers holding advance govt-bus reservations when the plan was announced. This includes 28,400 bookings for Oct 1 and 24,100 for Sunday’s return journeys.Private operators absorbed pressure, but booking platforms showed Madurai-Chennai fares reaching Rs 4,000-Rs 4,500, while Nagercoil and Tirunelveli return tickets were quoted up to Rs 6,500.“Every time more passengers get into the bus, the ticket fare seems to go up,” R Dinesh, a passenger at Kilambakkam complained, as some Tirunelveli seats were quoted around Rs 2,500.The transport department acknowledged complaints of excessive fares and deployed RTOs, motor vehicle inspectors and checkpost officials statewide, warning of fines, vehicle detention and tax recovery. Yet high quotations continued after the crackdown was announced, while passengers were told to complain through 9384808333 or 1800-425-6151, keeping the effectiveness of enforcement under scrutiny.Holiday pressure was equally visible in Kodaikanal, where vehicles remained stationary for over an hour between Srinivasapuram and Moonjikkal, while an empty ambulance was trapped near Perumalmalai. Police deployment was reported inadequate, while roadside parking worsened movement through the town and upper hills.
