Poll effect: Tamil Nadu bound buses running full from Bengaluru

BENGALURU: Both the public and private bus services from Bengaluru to different parts of Tamil Nadu were on Sunday crowded with thousands of people travelling to their home towns to cast their votes for the assembly elections, to be held on Monday.

As many as 50 Karnataka Saarige buses, along with 42 luxury and semi-luxury buses, operated by Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) on Sunday were running full, apart from hundreds of buses being operated by private companies.  

In order to cater to this rush the KSRTC on Sunday operated 13 buses from satellite bus station on Mysuru road and 37 from Kalasipalya bus stand, said a KSRTC official.

Malar, who works as housemaid, said, “I am going to Krishnagiri to cast my vote and return tomorrow evening, as I won’t get leave for more number of days.” Thyagaraj who works as a carpenter in Bengaluru was also on his way to his home town Vellore to cast his vote.

The Karnataka Saarige buses operate only till Hosur and the passengers have to change buses to reach their destination. The KSRTC also operated its luxury and semi-luxury buses from Shanthi Nagar bus stand. The buses were bound for Chennai, but took three different routes – via Chittoor, Hosur and Vellore.

Many buses operated by private players were also full on Sunday. “There are more than 25 buses operated by private companies in Kalasipalya and most of them are full. We except more passengers tomorrow from Hosur as more passengers will be returning to the city,” said a private bus operator.

Meanwhile for the Tamil Nadu assembly elections, more than 5.79 crore voters would decide the fate of 3,740 contestants. Buses to Kerala and Puducherry also faced unprecedented rush.