Crowds Rush Trains and Buses in Ariyalur as Diwali Holidays End

Travel Rush

Crowds flooded the railway and bus stations in Ariyalur and Jayankondam on Monday as people headed back to other districts after the Diwali festival. Diwali was celebrated on November 8, and the three-day holiday brought many people back to their hometowns. With the break coming to an end, travelers rushed back to cities like Chennai, Tiruppur, and Coimbatore using public transport.

Station Scenes

Passenger traffic was heavy at the Ariyalur railway station. People who did not get confirmed tickets or were stuck on the waiting list arrived at the station by 9 am to stand in line for unreserved compartments. Elderly passengers ate their lunch right at the platform while waiting. More than 100 passengers gathered at the station about an hour before the Vaigai and Guruvayur trains arrived. Police officers helped manage the crowds and assisted passengers in boarding the train compartments.

Context

Large festival rushes are common across India when workers and students return to their work and study places after major holidays. Public transport systems often deploy extra personnel to manage the massive crowds at key transit hubs during these peak travel periods.