TNSTC plans 3 mini-buses from Polur to Jawadhu Hills daily

TNSTC plans to introduce three mini-buses for better connectivity between Polur and Jamunamarathur in Jawadhu Hills soon.

The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) is planning to operate three mini-buses between Polur town on the plains to Jamunamarathur in Jawadhu Hills of Tiruvannamalai on a daily basis soon.

TNSTC officials said that at present, only one mini-bus between Tiruvannamalai town and Jamunamarathur through Polur was being operated for the past seven years. It had been providing free bus rides for women since October 2024.

“We have sent the proposal to the State government to introduce at least three mini-buses in the hills for better connectivity. We have also apprised Collector K. Tharpagaraj of the issue,” an official told The Hindu. Unlike ordinary buses, which have a seating capacity of 52 seats for commuters, mini-buses and ghat buses (those buses operated in the hills) have only 36 seats. Also, the lifespan of these vehicles are only seven years as against the 15 years of regular buses.

It is mainly due to rugged terrain in the hills.

Despite these inadequacies, TNSTC officials said that they had sought mini-buses as the hills have less population. “The free rides for women should be extended to new mini-buses that will be introduced in the hills. It will help us to save our meagre income earned through farm work,” said A. Petchiammal, a resident of a tribal village.