Driving from Chintadripet to Tiruvanmiyur can give one a headache with the sun beating down mercilessly and vehicles moving at snail's pace. It would take at least 45 minutes to cover the stretch that is a little more than 15 kms. But on a Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) train, it is a relaxed 20-minute journey.
This thought seems to have prompted many commuters to utilise the service if estimates of revenue earned by MRTS in 2011-2012 are anything to go by. There has been a 16.25 per cent increase in their earnings this year as compared to the last. The revenue during 2010-2011 was Rs. 17.11 crore and it shot up to Rs 19.89 crore in 2011-2012. There are 134 MRTS trains plying across 17 stations transporting 80,000 passengers every day. “It takes a lot of time to travel from one part of the city to the other by road. But MRTS travel is faster,” said S. Anantharaman, Divisional Railway Manager, Chennai Division, Southern Railway.
S. Sushmitha, an IT professional who uses the MRTS to travel from Chintadripet to Taramani finds travelling by train more relaxing than going by road. There is one problem, however. “The roads that lead to the station are bad. Most stretches are used as public toilets and the stench is unbearable,” she said.
Following repeated complaints about the lack of safety on such roads, the railways has decided to put up streetlights. “Talks are on with the Public Works Department to improve the road conditions. We will improve lighting. Women commuters must not panic. In fact, the employee manning the counter at Triplicane station is a woman and she works late into the night,” said a senior railway official.
Steps are also being taken to make effective use of the commercial space available at MRTS stations in Light House, Mandaveli, Greenways Road, Kotturpuram, Kasturba Gandhi Nagar, Indira Nagar, Tiruvanmiyur, Taramani, Perungudi and Velachery stations. “There is a 5,000-sq. m. unused area at each of these stations. The Railways Land Development Authority is working on how to utilise the space best,” the official said.
Keywords: Mass Rapid Transit System
Why is this the state affairs on roads which people are expected to use
often? Is the corporation not having enough money to even put up street
lights on these roads ? Or they have the money, but don't really care to
use them for the benefit of the public ? Corporation officials should be
pulled up and held responsible and face consequences for these state of
affairs. Shouldn't providing these basic facilities be fore planned
ahead of time, instead of being an after thought ? I hope these mistakes
are not repeated at least with the new metro.
MRTS usage will be manifold when it connects Mount station . Hence sooner let the basic facilities and bus connectivity also go side by side .Most of the stations are having space for car and 2 wheeler parking which need planning parking areas for commercial usage of extra built up of stations.
Let out the spaces to food outlets that can providie quick breakfast, lunch and refreshments like Coffee and Tea (take away/to go/ parcell) to commuters who are rushing to their work and to catch the next immediate train. Ensure these outlets pack food in recyclable or disposable containers, and ensure all stations have enough recycle bins and garbage bins at all convenient locations where people can drop off their used wraps.
Nothing attracts people like food and beverages. How about a sugarcane juice stall in each station? They sell like anything most part of the year.
The decision taken by the railway authority to fulfil the safety requirements and putup streetlights should be initiated immediately as these announcements are made frequently and no actions made so far I guess. In Particular, the roads to Taramani railway station from the MGR Salai is too pathetic and no streetlights are there. And safety requirements are to be made by placing more railway cops in particular Chepauk, Triplicane, Light House, Mandaveli, Greenways Road, Kotturpuram, Taramani & Perungudi MRTS stations as these stations are away from main area.
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