Traffic diversions imposed in connection with Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s thanksgiving event for voters of the Tiruchi East Assembly constituency caused hardship to commuters across the city on Monday, with many passengers forced to walk long distances after buses were diverted or terminated midway.

Mr. Vijay arrived in Tiruchi to participate in the thanksgiving meeting organised for voters of the Tiruchi East constituency at a college campus near the Chathiram bus stand.

As part of security arrangements ahead of the Chief Minister’s visit, the city police implemented major traffic diversions within city limits.

Buses heading towards the Chathiram bus stand dropped passengers near the Gandhi statue at Main Guard Gate. Buses coming via Srirangam and Thiruvanaikoil were terminated at Mambazhasalai while buses arriving through the Karur Road route were stopped near the road entrance.

Further, buses from Perambalur and Ariyalur bound for Tiruchi were diverted to the Central Bus Stand and buses were not permitted inside the Chathiram bus stand.

The diversions caused inconvenience to daily wage earners, students, and people visiting the city for medical treatment. Many passengers had to walk nearly 2 km to board connecting buses or reach their destinations.

M. Saradha from Manachanallur, who had come to Tiruchi for treatment at the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital, said she was unable to walk long distances due to ill health.

R. Bala from Uppiliyapuram said his grocery business was affected as he had to walk into the city after buses were terminated midway.