6,500 special buses to clear Pongal rush

, Jan 8: To clear the rush of passengers, heading to various destinations in view of Pongal festival,

government today said it would operate over 6,500 special buses starting January 10, 2014.

Special services will be operated from Chennai to various destinations from January 10-13, a state government release here said.

The festival is on Januay 14. It said 25 special reservation counters would be set up at Koyambedu bus stand here. Similar services would be operated on the same days from other places throughout the state and a total of 6,514 special buses will be used to clear the Pongal festival rush, it said.

Similar return services will be operated from January 16-19, it said. The release warned private operators against overcharging passengers, saying government would set up a cell to receive complaints. Pongal is the harvest festival of Tamils, which ushers in the auspicious 'Thai' month, and is celebrated with fervour and gaiety by families.

PTI