Wed Jan 14 03:16:00 UTC 2026: # Chennai Sees Mass Exodus for Pongal Celebrations, Traffic Congestion Expected
The Story
Over 1.4 million people have departed Chennai and its surrounding areas by bus and train since last Friday, heading home to celebrate Pongal. This mass exodus, which began on Friday, January 9, 2026, includes travelers using both government and private buses, as well as trains, and numerous personal vehicles. While traffic flow on GST Road remained largely smooth initially, congestion was reported near Kilambakkam bus stand, Tambaram, Vandalur, and Chengalpattu during the late hours of Tuesday, January 13, 2026. Police have implemented special traffic management arrangements to ensure smooth flow, expecting increased travel on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
Key Points
- Over 1.4 lakh people left Chennai by buses and trains to celebrate Pongal since last Friday.
- Approximately 7 lakh people traveled by government buses.
- 2.72 lakh people used omni buses.
- About 5 lakh passengers traveled by trains over the weekend.
- Traffic congestion was witnessed near Kilambakkam bus stand, Tambaram, Vandalur, and Chengalpattu on Tuesday evening.
- Special bandobust arrangements were made to regulate traffic.
Key Takeaways
- Pongal celebrations continue to drive significant internal migration in Tamil Nadu.
- The government and private transportation sectors play a crucial role in facilitating this mass movement.
- Traffic management remains a critical challenge during festival seasons.
- Advance planning and staggered departures helped mitigate initial traffic congestion.
- Monitoring and adjustments are ongoing to manage potential further congestion.
First Piper 