Chennai, March 23 (IANS): With Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K. Palaniswami announcing that prohibitory orders would be declared in the state and inter or intra state travel prohibited from Tuesday 6 a.m. till March 31, the Koyembedu bus stand was crowded with people eager to reach their native places.

Palaniswami also declared closure of all organisations other than those involved in providing essential services.

"The Chief Minister has announced that prohibitory orders would be imposed and closure of all organisations other than essential ones. I decided to go to my native place. But there is a huge crowd," a traveller told a television channel.

The central government has stopped passenger train services across the country resulting in a surge in demand for bus seats.

Similarly grocery outlets had a higher number of customers shopping in panic.

Some retail outlets saw long queues where the demand was high for vegetables and fruits.