The clatter made by the iron wheels of trolleys will no longer resonate at Chennai Central railway station.
The iron wheels are being replaced with rubber tyres after the Railway Protection Force (RPF) started seizing the trolleys for causing injuries to children and damaging the floors of the station. According to RPF personnel, there are a total of 300 trolleys in Chennai Central used by the Railway mail service, licensed porters and parcel agents.
Most of the trolleys are used to carry luggage and, sometimes, passengers.
“We have received over three complaints of trolleys running over children’s legs in recent months. Besides, if the floors are damaged, passengers who are in a hurry to board a train may trip and fall,” said a RPF officer.
The RPF has, so far, seized a total of 150 trolleys at Chennai Central. “Of this, nearly 80 have had their iron wheels replaced with proper tyres. The remaining wheels will also be replaced,” added the officer.
However, trolley owners said there is no facility to fix punctured tyres. “The wheels were replaced at a cost of Rs. 5,000. If they get punctured, we cannot use the trolley. We need the railway to address this issue,” said an owner.
