The Chennai Central railway station building stands majestically in the background as some youngsters click pictures standing on the foot overbridge in front of the station.
“We have never used the foot overbridge, which has been here for the past few months. It presents a different view of the station,” said Mukund Narayanan, one of the youngsters persuaded to use the bridge by Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel
He, like many other regular commuters, has never used the bridge set up by Chennai Metro Rail Limited to help commuters get across the bus bay in front of the station.
Hence, the RPF on Monday conducted an awareness drive to make a larger number of commuters use it.
“I have seen people getting hit by a bike or narrowly escape getting run over by a bus, as they avoid using the bridge,” said a senior RPF officer. Commuters, however, say that while youngsters can use the bridge easily, senior citizens would find it difficult. Many claim that beggars sleep on the bridge during the nights.
Besides, entry to the bridge from the station is blocked by cars, they point out. However, many feel that it will be helpful if the bridge is extended up to the Government General Hospital, until the skywalk becomes a reality.
“It will be safer for pedestrians and reduce traffic snarls due to people crossing Poonamallee High Road,” said M. Gurubaran, a commuter.
