Chennai: The city’s gateways witnessed severe traffic congestion on Sunday as several people began returning following the Pongal holidays.GST Road saw vehicles stuck in traffic for several kilometres. Severe congestion was reported near Singamperumal Koil. Traffic moved at at a snail’s pace along the Chennai-Ulundurpet National Highway and the Chennai-Trichy National Highway. A section of commuters took to social media to vent their frustration.Areas along ECR also witnessed snarls. Deputy commissioner (traffic), Tambaram, Samai Singh said, “Diversions for heavy vehicles, such as lorries, are in place at Tindivanam, Chengalpet and SP Kovil junction until tomorrow early morning. The vehicles are being diverted through the new Vandalur bridge to the Outer Ring Road. As many as 800 traffic police were posted along prominent highways. We are expecting lakhs of vehicles to return.“State express transport corporation (SETC) operated special buses from Friday for people to return to the city. A total of 25,038 buses, including route and special services, have run since then.Traffic congestion was reported near the Kilambakkam bus terminus as well. “But the stretch near the Perungalathur flyover was rid of congestion,” said Vinoth, a commuter.Officials said that this year, there was a 30% increase in SETC advance bookings by people leaving Chennai during Pongal holidays — about 2.8 lakh passengers booked reservation tickets ahead of Pongal, compared to 2.17 lakh last year. Of the total reservations, about 1.4 lakh bookings were made from Chennai.
