Hundreds of daily commuters in Trichy faced major inconvenience and lengthy delays as public bus services were severely disrupted during Chief Minister M K Stalin's visit to the city. Passengers were left waiting at major hubs like the Chathiram bus stand and other stops for nearly an hour, throwing their daily schedules into disarray.
Commuters Bear the Brunt of Transport Diversion
The disruption, which lasted for several hours until noon, critically affected regular services. Commuters traveling to workplaces, educational institutions, and those with urgent errands were stranded. The situation was exacerbated by the diversion of numerous private buses, which form a crucial part of the city's transport network, to ferry DMK party members to the venue where Stalin flagged off an 'Equality March' organized by MDMK leader Durai Vaiko.
M Anuja, a student on an internship programme, shared her ordeal. "I travel daily from Perambalur to Trichy. I waited at Chathiram bus stand from 11am to 11.45am for a bus to Thillai Nagar," she said. Her troubles continued in the evening as she waited over thirty minutes for a return bus, eventually boarding an extremely crowded vehicle.
Widespread Impact Across City Routes
The bus shortage had a ripple effect across numerous routes connecting Trichy to its suburbs and neighboring areas. Regular passengers traveling from the central Chathiram bus stand to key destinations faced a severe shortage of buses. Affected routes included:
- Thuvakudi and Keeranur
- Sangiliyandapuram and Woraiyur
- Inamkulathur and Samayapuram
- Pettavaithalai and Lalgudi
- Srirangam and Panjapur
As the disruption continued, the few buses that finally arrived witnessed chaotic scenes. Passengers rushed to board, leading to dangerous overcrowding with many forced to travel precariously on footboards.
Official Response and Aftermath
When questioned about the widespread transport breakdown, an official from the transport department offered a different perspective. A deputy manager speaking to TOI stated, "Only the spare government buses were used for the chief minister's event. Regular buses were operated as usual."
However, this claim starkly contrasted with the ground reality experienced by hundreds of students, office-goers, and citizens who endured long waits and unsafe travel conditions. The incident highlighted the vulnerability of the city's public transport system during high-profile political events.
