Mandous effect: Buses not to ply through ECR tonight

CHENNAI: Transport Minister SS Sivasankar on Friday announced that the buses would not be operated in and around East Coast Road and Mahabalipuram two hours before and after the landfall of cyclone Mandous. He also appealed to the passengers to avoid travelling altogether when the cyclone makes landfall.

"As per the instructions of the Chief Minister, buses will continue to operate as usual in Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Cuddalore and Villupuram districts. The public is requested to travel safely. Buses will not be operated only in areas around East Coast Road and Mamallapuram two hours before and after the cyclone Mandous landfall," he said in a statement.

Sivasankar directed the Managing Directors and senior officials of the Transport Corporations under the respective district boundaries to be in touch with the respective District Collectors and Superintendents of Police and take appropriate precautionary measures to ensure the safety of the travelling public.

Meanwhile, All Omnibus Owners Association president A Anbalagan announced that all the omnibuses will ply as usual on Friday.