Tamil Nadu Transport Minister MR Vijaya Bhaskar opened new ticket booking counters for commuters to travel to their native places during the Deepavali holidays. Special buses to the southern part of Tamil Nadu will be operated November 3 onwards. 

The transport minister launched 30 new ticket booking couters and issued tickets to the commuters.

Close to 20,567 special buses will be operated on November 3,4,5 across the state. This includes 11,367 buses which will ply from Chennai. Similarly, 11,842 special buses (including 4,207 to Chennai) will be operated from November 7 to 10. 

When asked about the exorbitant prices charged in private omni buses during festival days, the minister warned that stringent action will be taken against private buses if they charge excessively, and, so far, 36 buses were seized by the goverment for the violation of rules.

He further said that the employees shall no more go on any strike as their demands have been fulfilled by the goverment. He also said that the employees were often misdirected. 

"The TN government has allotted a sum of Rs. 1000 crores for the salary hike of the transport employees," he added.