Why isn't the government doing its bit to help visitors and tourists and make transit easy for them?
Arriving in an unfamiliar city with no idea of its street ethos can be a recipe for disaster. Ask the three students from Kolkata who came to Chennai to make contact with their distance education institution, the University of Madras. Two of them were robbed of their luggage and money by an autorickshaw driver who offered them a ride from Chennai Central.
There are many such stories about the big city, of people arriving at its main termini — Central, Egmore or CMBT — only to be greeted by a system that offers little information and even less support. If Chennai wants to showcase a visitor-friendly culture, it should have a prominent, well-equipped tourist reception centre at key entry points offering advice in major Indian languages (think touchscreen displays, maps, videos and personal advice). Even if there is one tucked away somewhere, the young visitors who lost their school and degree certificates could not find or use it.
The autorickshaw driver who made off with the luggage of the students represents what could be called a major group of defectors. As opposed to co-operation (in the economic sense) which produces win-win outcomes, these foolish, short-sighted individuals create massive losses for the city's overall economy by ruining its reputation globally. Certainly, the majority of autorickshaws pose no such threat. Also, there is the small group of “tourist-friendly autos”. These drivers do not get hostile but ask for arbitrary fares all the same. In general, an autorickshaw ride in the city can be a costly affair.
It is an irony that the youth who were robbed had a masters degree in geography. Did they consult a map of the city before arriving, to find their co-ordinates? Whether it is Google Maps or Open Street Maps, it is possible to get a mental picture of where one is going, the distance involved and landmarks. Google Transit goes a step further, and provides actual travel options. A community initiative, India Bus Routes Mapping Project (http://busroutes.in/chennai/) has a database of bus routes and a helpful map.
In recent times, they report a 200 per cent rise in traffic, indicating that such services are narrowing the information asymmetry to some degree.
Why isn't the government of Tamil Nadu, in partnership with the Railways, doing its bit to help visitors and make transit easy for them? Would it not help, for example, to screen a welcome video on the giant display screens at Chennai Central, CMBT, and elsewhere? Many first-time visitors to the city have no idea of what to expect as they exit the railway station. The video could tell them, for example, that there are buses right inside the Central Station going towards High Court, Thiruvanmiyur and so on, and a suburban rail network going west just a few platforms away, and two rail networks to the south within 100 metres and other such options.
The story of the Kolkata students confirms something Chennaiites have always suspected — the costly CCTV cameras at many city junctions are mere duds, paid for by the taxpayer. No footage of the autorickshaw driver was available even near the VVIP stretch of Anna Square Police Station. The police rigorously check vehicle documents of two-wheelers at several places in the city everyday. How about inspecting the papers of autorickshaws inside Chennai Central and elsewhere? After the robbery, the police could have at least sent a wireless message to launch a massive check and help the students get their certificates back.
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Keywords: travelling to Chennai, Kolkata students incident, Chennai auto drivers, Chennai public transport, Chennai tourism, Chennai traffic, tourist friendly city, tourists in Chennai
There is some truth in the allegation that Chennai is a victim of
consistent slandering. After the Anti-Hindi stance of TN Politicians
in 1960s,there has been a tendency to run down this city's importance
throughout India. Unfortunately, the people or politicians of TN have
done nothing to change this perception. On the contrary, successive
governments have only added to the isolation of this city and its
people by regressive language policies. For an Indian from any other
part of India, visiting Chennai is an ordeal because of Language and
general attitude of people. The city needs a thorough image makeover.
The best way to do this is to introduce Hindi as third language in
schools (like Kerala & Karnataka)which will expose the people to the
world outside of TN. As a third generation Bangalorean, i have seen
the dramatic transformation of Bangalore as compared to Chennai. It is
not just the climate which puts off people from liking Chennai but the
general comfort level.
First off all thank for those who have taken pain in reflecting their trouble about Chennai and it shows your consideration towards Chennai not hatred towards it...Hats off to all…
Good this is also a Part of Chennai where we shall find few auto rickshaws, tourist Guides etc. who grabs the chance to spoil the Sport (Money Laundering etc), but interesting reality is that all authorities were aware of this fact and some authorities were the backend for this Evil events.
As a people of Chennai, we are not alone the victim of above events but also we are the causes, for example, if we see some foreigner was misguided by auto rickshaws , how many of us do you think will react to it.. Chennai = Not alone Government, even people also the part of Chennai.If anybody is praising us, please feel pride & if anybody cursing us, please fell sad, because we are also the causes of both.
Regardless how much we complain/opine/concern over the pathetic state of Chennai Central Station, nothing is going to change unless the initiative comes from the CM Jayalalitha. Sometimes it looks strange, when seen all the governments by it the AIADMAK or DMK , for so many decades who ruled Tamil Nadu, haven't shown an iota of concern towards the atrocities in Central Station.
The message is clear from these governments; DONT EXPECT COURTESY AND FAIRNESS FROM TAMIL NADU AND WE MEAN IT. What a shame and sad phase this state is going to!!!!!
Everybody seems to be having fun doing some "Chennai bashing." All of you who want to relocate to some better city, please do so. I agree that Chennai has its problems - but then, so do the other cities. In India the primary issue is corruption on every level and this affects everything including development. Bangalore and Delhi are no better. Those who crib about auto drivers in Chennai not speaking Hindi or English - can you get an auto driver in Delhi to speak Tamil? If Tamil is not spoken in Chennai, where else will it be spoken. South Indians visiting North India are expected to learn Hindi but the same is not applicable for North Indians visiting South India - instead, everybody is expected to know Hindi...if this is not chauvinism, what is it? Chennai is part of India and the character of the city is like any other typical city in India. India is a dangerous place nowadays.. if you are not really careful (in some cases even if you are,) you will be taken for a ride.
Has been the same for generations. Will remain so for generations to come. Even the weather gods dislike this Godforsaken village er.. city.
As a Madrasi I am saddened to see a metropolis of such intelligence,culture&even sophistication CHENNI lacks the primitive,fundamental basic decency of providing proper info to any non madrasi arriving at any portals of CHENNI.It is as if it is still in the COLONIAL DAYS.
Born and brought up in Chennai. Liked it then, say during the 90s. Now, the quality of life is zero. Pathetic traffic systems, Heavy pollution, Extreme summer, Flooded roads during monsoon, Indecent public service providers (auto/bus), Low quality of food in budget restaurants are its trademark. It is 1000% better to move out to bangalore, hyderabad or even Cochin for that factor. As a side note, autowallas in bangalore and hyderabad are also not very friendly. How much will the new metro rail change the scene is yet to be seen? When the CMs are busy taking revenge on each other, typical filmi style ( also they are from the film industry) after every election-win, we get fried in between.
Railway stations in India and in particular Central are in a mess because there is no commitment to order, discipline and hygiene.It is difficult to see even one railway staff in uniform and there is no presence of police either who ought to be there 24 hours a day. Platforms are full of booked luggage offloaded or waiting to be loaded into break vans and therefore there is no walking space. Auto drivers are right inside touting and the booth for prepaying for autos is outside the station and the way to it is full of broken stones and water logged sometimes and generally dirty and not signposted clearly. Again there is no police present to maintain order. The entire layout of station forecourt is a mess with no clear and clean pathways and uneven. The forecourt should be laid with lot of green plants and clear pathway that is even surfaced. Given the density of people using the station from all over India efforts need to be taken to streamline, beautify and easy for people to use.
The scene is pretty much the same in Delhi, Bengaluru and Mumbai railway stations too. Rampant corruption, illegal vendors, coolies, pollution, lack of information on city and transportation- it is not unique to Chennai alone. At least in Chennai you have the option of suburban trains, and fairly efficient bus service, plus the call taxi system. Not all the places have that. A major change in attitude of the visitors is also required, I have witnessed visitors having a preconceived notion of Chennai - about the people, weather, language, culture, politics, food, films, songs, even appearance. One can understand the reluctance of foreigners since Chennai unlike the other metros is a 'blue-collared' city with a heavy manufacturing base and little Westernization. But one simply can't understand the attitude of Non-resident Tamils who will gladly bear with Thackereys, Pawars, Yeddis and Gowdas, but the moment they land on Chennai soil start criticising everything about Chennai/ TN.
I am living in Chennai from last 35 years , but of late even I've started hating this place, this is going worst day by day , even we are seriously planning to relocate to a better place
While I agree that a lot could be done to make Chennai a better organised and visitor-friendly city, we must bear in mind that Chennai, though has less population than London, the population density of Chennai - 26000+ per sq.Km. is five times greater than that of London. In the inner city of Chennai, this could be even higher. If Chennai Corporation collects and utilizes the tax money properly and effectively, Chennai too could become a world city soon. In addition to infrastructues, the city must also spend money on civic /public education. Because, unlike other great world cities, Chennai is generously accommodatiing very poor people from all parts of India, most of them have little or no formal education and experience of living in big metropolitan cities.
A friend landed in Chennai Central and wanted to visit his relative in the General Hospital. He did not know anything about Chennai and its culture. He was taken for a ride by an Auto driver and after travelling about 10 km in and around Walltax Road and other congested areas, the fare came to Rs. 120 and the Auto demanded Rs. 200. This is the story of Chennai. Shameful!
The ordeal of the people loosing things to the thieves and autorick drivers could be moderated by inclusion of a tracking systems of autos similar to that is available in the MTC buses. Combining bus service along with the train (similar to developed countries) will be highly helpful for the tourists to reach their destination easily.
I've lived in Chennai for 21 years. Since 2006, I've been to Bhopal, Bangalore, Guwahati, Mumbai, Surat, Ahmedabad and Vadodara. Chennai seems to be bad for anybody. Doesn't matter whether you know tamil or not. The bus conductors, auto drivers and the people in general seem less helpful than in other cities.
@T.N. Kumar and M. Gopinath: Who copied from whom?? or are you both the same person?? "Natives of chennai"!! This is chennai for all you people out there!?
Things could be made better with:
a) more signboards, esp. those with icons. Too many advts now crowd out
even the few that are available.
b) loudspeakers at lower height and on lower volume. Right now, there
are so many confusing messages and sounds that nothing is clear.
c) cleaner public toilets. The existing ones are dreadful (obviously no
senior railway official ever uses them).
d) More policemen and women, especially those who speak English and one
other language, especially Hindi.
e) Get rid of the touts and the auto drivers who block the exit points.
f) More information about local trains and bus connections.
g) A large enquiry counter with at least a dozen staff and make sure
passengers queue up to go to the counter.
h) More waste bins and water taps. Both are woefully adequate. The
water taps are mostly dry.
i) More battery operated carts. The two now available are inadequate.
j) Too much garbage, uneven platforms and parking lot (often with
sewage or urine puddles).
I am a resident of Chennai past 17 years.I have seen even some African/Gulf and European countries, which have undergone massive social upheavals, treating first time arrivals with care and concern. In Chennai, you have asked for some action against autos. I hope you are aware that no government has tamed the autos, who do not even run on meters, they ply as per the dictates of their whims and fancies, they will ask astronomical fares..... So, please try to find out the reason why this is happening. There is no presence of police anywhere, except some of them in groups near the exits of the Central station (touts roam freely all over).... It is a fact that most of the autos are owned by Policemen. Hence they will never dare to check autos for documents/meter functionining ...All in all, a city which does not even understand basic economics of a tourism driven economy. It is indeed a mess and a sorry state of affairs, and please note, will not change at all.
Each Major railway stations should have information counter which could help tourists and new comers.
No one is accountable for public owned services. Particularly in areas where central, state, city governments intersect. Time to devolve station management to the lowest level, and then a level lower than that!
Chennai has a lot to prove in front of people coming from outside to call it a friendly city. People who do not speak Tamil are harassed like anything. Myself being a student for 4 yrs have first hand knowledge about it, seeing people deliberately avoid speaking in Hindi or even English to fleece in extra money or whatever. The reputation of the city in front of people in others is so poor that the mere mention of he name in front of people who have been here brings in a trove of bad memories. Its time the society as a whole adjusts and the government take initiative in bringing in this cultural change.
India a developed nation in 2030,2050,2100...In dreams... We Indians are just satisfied with the slogans, but to make it real, really hard work is required. Planning comes the first. lets see at least in 3000 AD.
What a shame to my beloved city? The writer is perfectly correct. Such incidents spread globally like a virus in an instant thanks to the Internet. The real cost to Chennai is multi-fold. Tourists simply miss Chennai next time and the economy is going to suffer. Hope the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu does some concrete actions against such thefts which spread a bad name of the city internationally. Vish from Sydney
India could be a great tourist destination if auto and taxi drivers are properly trained and taught that they have a responsible role in building a good image of India. Touts, crooks and cheats have to be rounded up and severely punished if found guilty of cheating trusting tourists. Food inspectors should make sure that hygienic food is served in restaurants besides insisting that eateries maintain cleanliness. There should also be a helpline for tourists. India, unlike Thailand is not a very tourist friendly destination. Visas regime could also be made easier.
After living in the city for around 25 years, now i really hate to visit the city. Chennai lost it's friendly nature long ago. Something has to be done.
Why Foreign Visitors? Chennai Central Station is a JUNGLE for Human beings. Even locals do not have any clue to how to reach a particular platform or train or to come out of Central Station. The station is filled with people who have made it a free accommodation place for their stay in Chennai. Only genuine passengers for a particular train should be allowed to enter the platform and all others should be kept outside not only the platform but the station premises.
At least central station has a prepaid auto system where as there is none at Egmore. Passengers are left to mercy of unscruplous auto drivers.
I am a native of Chennai, and I would like to point out that India as a whole is not tourist friendly. I have seen even some African countries, which have undergone massive social upheavals, treating first time arrivals with care and concern. In Chennai, you have asked for some action against autos. I hope you are aware that in the last 40 years, no government has tamed the autos, who do not even run on meters, they ply as per the dictates of their whims and fancies, they will ask astronomical fares..... So, please try to find out the reason why this is happening. There is no presence of police anywhere, except some of them in groups near the exits of the Central station (touts roam freely all over)....All in all, a city (and a country) which does not even understand basic economics of a tourism driven economy. It is indeed a mess and a sorry state of affairs, and please note, will not change in the next few decades.
It is an ordeal even for city residents to survive a visit to Chennai central or the airport. How many years has it been since autorickshaw metres became ornamental pieces? What has our police done to enforce the compulsory use of metres? Do we have useful information kiosks or useable toilets at any of these places? It is best that tourists do not come to Chennai at all. Let the city provide the minimum of safety and facilities first before trying to attract tourists.
What you describe is not a part of the concerned authorities' "job description". India is a hopeless mess. It reminds me of the wild west stories of America. The last time I was at Chennai Central people were urinating right in the parking lot in front of it. What a wonderful sight for a total stranger to arrive to. Chennai is not a metropolitan city. It is an overgrown village with zero civic sense.
I am a Tamil, born, raised, lived in Chennai for good part of my life, in the past 12 years, lived, visited many cities in India and abroad, but Chennai comes as the least preferred place to either visit or live. I've regularly used Chennai Central, Egmore and Airports, irrespective of where you land the experience is same, INTIMIDATING (not sure if something changed in last couple of years). when you enter Chennai the first people you encounter are illegal money changers, auto rickshaw, taxi drivers canvassing for "savari" and they don't fail to belittle you when you politely refuse them. Chennai will be one of the rudest places for any visitor. Even when we return to India, we have decided not to make Chennai our home because the place isn't going anywhere. Hyderabad, Bangalore are better cities in the South.I am not bashing Chennai here, but rather expressing my frustration. There is so much to be done in Chennai/TN but our politicians are indulging in destructive Governance
As an outsider who lived in Chennai for a few years as part of my first job, I am reminded of how horrible it is to deal with auto-drivers in the city. Even if you know exactly where you wish to go and which route to go, you will be faced with arbitrary demands for exorbitant sums of money. Even after you agree no the fare in advance, many times the drivers try to extort more money - sometimes even resorting to implied physical threats. It was so bad that I finally got a two-wheeler driving licence and a scooter - purely to stop having to deal with these unsavory characters!
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