1 lakh visitors expected at Vandalur zoo for Kaanum Pongal

According to officials, the park was closed last year as Cyclone Vardah had wreaked havoc inside the zoo premises, forcing closure of the zoo for restora

tion. 

Similarly, after the 2015 flood, the park had hardly 100 visitors. “We are prepared to handle the situation this year and have restored the premises. The fact that 30,000 people visited on Monday is a clear indication that Kaanum Pongal will attract at least one lakh people,” Shanmugam, Assistant Director of the Arignar Anna Zoological Park, said. 

The Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) has decided to increase the fleet of buses to various spots in the city on account of Kaanum Pongal. “There will be more buses for Anna Square, Vandalur, Mamallpuram, Kovalam, Besant Nagar, Tambaram and Thruvanmaiyur. Similarly, for the convenience of public, buses will be operated from Avadi, Iyappanthangal, Adyar, Perumbakkam, Kelambakkam, Kannagi Nagar, Koyambedu, Ambattur, Guindy and T Nagar,” as per an official statement. 

To ferry passengers returning from their native southern districts after Pongal, the MTC will operate buses from Koyambedu, Perungalathur and Central railway station, the release added.