Residents of Srirangam presenting a petition to Tiruchi MP Durai Vaiko, seeking his intervention in the operation of Samayapuram-bound buses via Srirangam.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
A section of residents, commuters of Srirangam, and devotees visiting Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple has urged the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) to operate Samayapuram bound city buses via Srirangam and revive the operation of direct bus services from Srirangam to leading temple destinations including Rameswaram and Tiruchendur.
Srirangam does not have direct bus connection to suburban areas, situated in northern Tiruchi, such as Samayapuram, Lalgudi, Manachanallur, and Gunaseelam. The residents wanting to commute to any of these places have to travel by city buses or by autorickshaws to Thiruvanaikovil. In the absence of direct bus connectivity, the commuters are forced to change two buses to go their destinations, thereby causing severe inconvenience to them.
Similarly, as a premier temple town, Srirangam witnesses a massive influx of pilgrims from different parts of the country, mainly from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka. Many of them visit Sri Mariamman Temple at Samayapuram and popular temples at Thiruvellarai, Tirupattur, and Thirupanjeeli after completing darshan at Srirangam Temple. Though there is no issue in with those having a personal transport, devotees depending on public transport find it difficult to commute in the absence of direct bus connectivity. Residents of Srirangam feel that the problem can be solved if the buses, which are being operated between Chathiram Bus Stand and Samayapuram and others run via Srirangam.
“Buses bound for at least a few destinations such as Samayapuram, Gunaseelam and Manachanallur should be operated via Srirangam. It will be a great relief to commuters and devotees,” said V. Jawahar, councillor representing Ward 2 in the Tiruchi Corporation, after presenting a petition to Tiruchi MP Durai Vaiko, who inaugurated a direct bus connectivity from Srirangam to Tiruverumbur.
The TNSTC had operated direct buses from Srirangam to popular temple towns such as Rameswaram, Tiruchendur, Tirupati, and Chennai soon after the election of the late Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa from Srirangam Assembly constituency. However, they were discontinued over a period of time.
“The direct buses connecting popular temple towns was received well. They must be revived,” said S. Selvakumar, a resident of Srirangam.
Published – September 20, 2026 08:29 pm IST
