Panjapur bus terminus ready to tackle Deepavali rush

With Deepavali around the corner, authorities are discussing ways to improve facilities at the Panjapur Integrated Bus Terminus (IBT) to cater to higher passenger footfall in the run-up to the upcoming holiday break.
“We did not get the expected number of travellers during the Ayudha Puja break this year, with the IBT’s remote suburban location being a major cause. However, we are hopeful of attracting more people over the coming weeks. To prepare for the Deepavali holidays, when the commuter traffic is expected to be higher, we are planning to consult transport companies and improve our service accordingly,” a senior official of IBT’s administration said.
The IBT receives approximately 70,000 to one lakh passengers on weekdays. During the festival period, the number increases to 1.70 lakh to two lakh people, the official said.
Deepavali would see an even higher number this year, he said.
Commuters would benefit from better connectivity through special buses offering shuttle services from the other bus stands in the city, said activists.
Officials at the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC), which operates around 500 buses in Tiruchi district, said that passenger arrangements for this year’s Deepavali festival break would be announced soon.