Ever since a flyover was constructed in 2011 connecting Velachery Main Road, Mudichur Road and GST Road over the railway track, MES Road residents have been asking for a pedestrian subway connecting East and West Tambaram. Residents say the request has been falling on deaf ears.
“People risk their lives by crossing the railway tracks. They find it difficult to climb the rail over-bridge connecting East and West Tambaram opposite Madras Christian College (MCC). Every month, a pedestrian, while crossing the tracks, is fatally knocked down by a train. A vehicular subway has been constructed on Suddhananda Bharathi Road, East Tambaram, connecting West Tambaram.
The subway is narrow, and there is no space for pedestrians. Even after a short spell of rain, water stagnates in the subway. Walkers face the risk of being run over by speeding vehicles,” A. Vinod Raj, a resident of East Tambaram, said.
There are five schools – CSI Corley Higher Secondary School, St. Mary’s Matriculation Higher Secondary School, CSI Middle School, St. Anne’s Middle School, St. Mary’s Primary School, and Corley Primary School, on MES or MCC Road. Over 9,000 school students and lakhs of people cross the tracks daily putting their lives in jeopardy, he added.
Residents say, “We have sent petitions in this regard to the Chief Minister’s Cell, the Railways, Tambaram Municipality, and Kancheepuram Collectorate. No action has been taken so far. There is a general rule that a pedestrian subway has to be constructed across a rail flyover.
Children and senior citizens find it difficult to climb the stairs on the rail over-bridge opposite MCC.
“Even, the educational institutions on MES-MCC Road have submitted memorandums to the Southern Railway. This is a serious issue. If anyone tries to cross the tracks, chances of getting fatally knocked down by train is high. Keeping the safety of people in mind, a subway should immediately be constructed,” residents pointed out.
In addition to the demand for a pedestrian subway, residents of MES Road have sought the de-silting and deepening of Nalla Eri, which is located on the road.
“The area around the water-body has been encroached upon by people, who have built houses. The area is strewn with all types of trash. The water body, which is 30 to 40-feet deep, will help in groundwater recharge. More than 500 houses have been constructed on the lake area,” residents said.
The water-body has become highly polluted. The local politicians are said to be aware of the encroachments. “The Government should restore the lake, protect the flora and fauna in the lake, construct a walkers’ footpath and a park around the water body. Bird-watching activity can also be encouraged,” the residents added.
