Tamil Nadu Unlocks Extended Diwali Celebration with Strategic Holiday Declaration

The Tamil Nadu government has announced a significant decision to declare October 21 (Monday) as a local holiday, a strategic move aimed at easing the anticipated heavy traffic congestion during the bustling Diwali festive period. This thoughtful declaration is set to provide immense relief and convenience to countless citizens planning to travel to their native places for the joyous celebrations.

With Diwali falling on October 27, 2019 (Sunday), the government's decision to make Monday, October 21, a holiday effectively creates an extended window for travel.

Nestled between Sunday, October 20, and Tuesday, October 22, this additional day off allows people to begin their journeys earlier, circumventing the peak travel days closer to the festival. This foresight is expected to significantly mitigate the usual last-minute rush and severe traffic bottlenecks typically observed on October 26 and 27, when the festival is in full swing.

The primary objective behind this local holiday is to encourage staggered travel, distributing the massive flow of commuters over several days rather than concentrating it into a frantic few.

By providing an extra day, families can plan their departures with greater flexibility, ensuring a less stressful and more enjoyable start to their festive holidays. This proactive measure reflects the state's commitment to prioritizing public welfare and ensuring smooth mobility during one of the most significant festivals of the year.

Further bolstering its efforts to manage the festive exodus, the government also confirmed that a compensatory working day for October 21 would be announced at a later date.

Complementing the holiday, the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) has made extensive arrangements for special bus services. These services are scheduled to operate from October 24 to 26, facilitating outward journeys, and again from October 28 to 30, ensuring a smooth return for those celebrating Diwali away from their workplaces.

These comprehensive measures underscore a holistic approach to managing the logistical challenges of festive travel in the state.