Koyambedu no more crowded

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It was a never-like-this-before sight on Deepavali eve at Koyambedu bus terminus, Asia’s largest, with fewer crowds.

Unlike the previous seasons, the state transport authorities had operated 2,890 special buses to cater to the festival rush.

Furthermore, the presence of transport minister Senthil Balaji, busy directing officials to ensure smooth operation of special buses, made things easier for the passengers flocking to CMBT over the last four days.

“I rushed to Koyambedu bus terminus anticipating a huge crowd on buses heading to my native town Tirunelveli, but, much to my surprise, the crowd looked like on any normal day,” said a passenger on Monday morning who rec­alled his harrowing experience where he was left stranded at the same terminus till the morning of Deepavali a few years ago.

“This is unbelievable. The authorities have th­r­o­wn a pleasant surprise by operating special buses in large numbers,” he added, echoing the views of several other passengers.

Though the terminus was overcrowded from Fr­i­day night to Sunday, the us­ual crowd was mis­s­ing on Deepavali eve.

“Special buses — 768 buses, 633 buses, 543 buses and 884 buses - have been in operation from November 9 till today (November 12) ,” said Mr Senthil Balaji.