Wherever traffic is chaotic, pedestrian subways and foot over bridges are a solution. There are, however, times when the most carefully planned subways and foot over bridges are rendered less helpful. The subway near Tambaram Railway Station is one such. Both entry and exit points of the subway are encroached upon by vendors leaving little space for pedestrians to walk. Adding to the pedestrians’ ire is the litter left behind by vendors. Rotten vegetables and fruits mess up the place. With people using it as a public toilet, the space around the subway is also filthy. It is no wonder that pedestrians avoid the subway for these reasons and cross the road.
Kannan, a frequent visitor to Tambaram, says he did not know of this subway for a long time. “Whenever I got down at the Tambaram station, I saw a mini-market, with vendors selling their wares. I didn't notice a subway amidst the crowded market.”
