Chennai: In the middle of the rising covid-19 cases in several states of India, thousands of laborers in Chennai traveled back to the village as the government imposed a night curfew and increased restrictions.
A transport official from CMBT said, “Hours after the government declared holiday for colleges till January 20, occupancy levels in buses bound to Tiruchy, Thanjavur, Thiruvarur, Madurai, and Tirunelveli districts went up. All Tiruchy-bound buses carried passengers to full capacity.”
The special buses for Pongal are planned to be operated from January 11 onwards, thousands thronged bus terminals to leave in advance due to which occupancy levels could not be restricted to 50 percent.
A common resident of Tiruchy said that at least three persons at his apartment in Aynavaram tested positive. “Samples were collected from many residents. If more test positive my street would be declared a containment zone, and I will not be able to go home for Pongal.
(_Vinayak Barot)