Interstate bus services may restart ahead of Deepavali

According to government sources, all neighbouring states have started the operation of the interstate buses except for Tamil Nadu. “With the number of COVID cases coming down, the government is considering to allow interstate bus services ahead of the festival season,” said sources.

A senior official of State Express Transport Corporation said no buses were being operated on the interstate route and the buses were plying till State border. Passengers have to cross the border and get local buses.

Omnibuses operators urged the government to allow interstate services at the earliest. “There were 300 buses plying on interstate routes. Karnataka buses were plying to Puducherry and Kerala Via Tamil Nadu, but the local buses were not allowed to operate,” All Omni Bus Owner’s Association general secretary A Anbalagan complained.