Nearly 14 lakh people have left Chennai and nearby areas since last Friday to celebrate Pongal in their hometowns. People traveled using government buses, private buses, and trains, according to transport officials.
Officials said the exodus began early, with many residents choosing to leave before the official holidays to avoid heavy traffic. Because of this, traffic on the GST Road remained mostly smooth, despite the large number of vehicles leaving the city.
However, traffic jams were reported in some areas, especially around the Kilambakkam bus terminus, Vandalur, and Chengalpet, where vehicles moved slowly due to the high volume of outbound traffic. Congestion also occurred in Koyambedu and Thiruvanmiyur, mainly because of private buses leaving the city.
Transport authorities advised travelers to plan their journeys carefully, leave early, and follow traffic rules to avoid delays. They also assured that additional traffic personnel have been deployed on major roads to manage the heavy movement of vehicles during the Pongal holidays.