CHENNAI: It was virtually mad rush at railway stations and bus stands on Friday night as thousands of people wanted to get out of the city during the Pongal weekend.With a four-day holiday for schools and colleges, many took the opportunity to travel to their natives or just take a trip out of the city. Chennai Central Railway Station was jam-packed with passengers heading out of town. Last-minute travellers were seen standing in queues stretching from the main ticket counters up to the parking lot. It was a hectic day for porters in the station as they did brisk business.“Many families are going out of town for up to five days. We had a lot of work today, and as usual, the rush will continue over the weekend as people are coming to Chennai as well,” Palani, a porter, said.Egmore Station too saw similar scenes of commotion. However, scene outside the station was not that chaotic as heavy police patrolling eased the flow of traffic despite rush of people.The food stalls in the railway stations too saw roaring business.The scenes were no different at Chennai Moffusil Bus Terminus and the omnibus terminal at Koyambedu. Passengers in groups with heavy luggage were seen stuck to each other for fear of getting separated in the crowd.But there were many families which decided not to put up with the tension of booking tickets and travelling uncomfortably. “I thought it was better to travel by car, as the cost of fuel would be about the same as buying tickets for me, wife and three children,” a businessman, who wished not to be named, told Express.
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