Absence of platform shelter in substantial portion of the Srirangam railway station is causing difficulty to rail travellers.
The problem is acutely felt by senior citizens boarding and alighting at Srirangam. Passengers boarding from the station feel this handicap during afternoon hours having to stand either under the scorching sun or to take refuge under the shade of the subway roof on platform 2.
Many trains including some superfast expresses have halts at this station where shelter is provided only to restricted portions on platforms 1 and 2 where incoming and outgoing trains are accommodated.
Considerable portion of the platforms are bereft of shelter forcing passengers to stay put in the covered area and rush towards their respective coaches upon arrival of train. The problem is felt more during peak summer or during sudden downpour.
With mercury level beginning to soar and the intense heat expected to last for the next few months, passengers feel that the railway administration should take urgent steps to provide shelter in uncovered portion as well. Residents say the aged passengers and those travelling with children feel the hardship.
The platform shelters are confined only to limited portion, says Ananthapadmabhan, a resident of Srirangam and a frequent traveller.
Coupled with this issue is the lack of coach indication boards on platform 2 and 3 where long distance trains are accommodated. This also causes difficulty to passengers as they have to rush to their respective coaches given the short duration of halt of trains, say travellers. The new platform constructed at Srirangam as part of the ongoing track doubling work has been provided shelter only to a restricted portion as well with the remaining area uncovered.
Travellers feel the issue should be resolved at the earliest since Srirangam was attracting devotees from all corners of the country. Railway officials say Srirangam falls under the ‘D’ category station with provision of minimum amenities. It is felt by travellers that there should be no restrictions for any improvements as sought in view of the increase in passenger traffic.
