Tamil Nadu Transport department is set to run more than 34,000 buses, including special services, across the state for the Pongal festival on January 15, 2026. Transport Minister S.S. Sivasankar announced at a press meet on January 6 that special buses will operate from January 9 to January 14. From Chennai alone, 22,796 buses will run, including 10,245 special buses. These buses will leave from three main termini: Kilambakkam, Koyambedu, and Madhavaram. Kilambakkam terminus will serve south-bound routes to places like Puducherry, Cuddalore, Tiruchi, Madurai, Thirunelveli, Coimbatore, and Thanjavur. The Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) section of Kilambakkam will cover trips to Vandavasi and Tiruvannamalai. Passengers to Andhra Pradesh via Ponneri and Uthukottai will board buses at Madhavaram, which will also handle some buses to Tiruchi, Kumbakonam, and Salem. For routes to ECR, Kancheepuram, and Thiruttani, travelers can board buses at Dr. M.G.R. bus terminus, Koyambedu, along with those heading to Bengaluru via Vellore. The return journeys to Chennai will start from January 16 and continue until January 19. The Transport department is also opening help desks at multiple locations. A toll-free number 18004256151 has been set up to address complaints about private omnibus operators charging extra fares.