Tamil Nadu's capital city has been sanctioned a metro railway project. The prospect of having a modern railway system has turned public attention to its existing suburban railway and MRTS networks. Many commuters are asking why more cannot be done for these systems too, at a time when better public transport can combat climate change and air pollution. Chennai does not have a functional transport regulator to integrate buses, trains and feeder modes such as autorickshaws.
Does the information help? LED display boards were installed in the compartments of a 9-car rake between Tambaram and Chennai Beach recently. Photo: M. Karunakaran.
Dirty, grimy and closed. The toilets and the water facility at the Indira Nagar MRTS station are in disuse -- and firmly shuttered. Photo: M. Karunakaran
The endless wait for a ticket. Travel by public transport involves long delays, putting off many. The queue at the Thiruvanmiyur MRTS station ticket counter. Photo: M. Karunakaran
Built at public cost, but not working. The escalator at the MRTS Triplicane station lies virtually abandoned. A similar situation prevailed in most other stations with escalator facility when this picture was taken, a few weeks ago. Photo: M. Vedhan
No relief from crowding. Far from the comfort of the personal car, and the freedom of two-wheelers, those who opt for public transport must prepare for the crush. At the MRTS Thiruvanmiyur station. Photo: M. Karunakaran
Traps for the unwary -- and the handicapped -- in decrepit stations. Open Water Tanks at MRTS Light House Station. Photo: M. Karunakaran
Well begun? Despite the passage of several years, work on the MRTS Indira Nagar Station remains incomplete. Photo: M. Karunakaran
Never a day without peak-hour crowding. An additional peak hour fast EMU train between Thirumalpur and Chennai Beach draws scores of passengers. Photo: B. Jothi Ramalingam
There is always less capacity in the suburban railway system than the demand, particularly during peak hours.
Not a protest rally. Commuters walk along the tracks towards the station, after an electrical problem near Basin Bridge paralysed suburban railway services in this sector on September 9, 2009. Photo: R.Ragu
Not for Chennai : A new generation EMU coach destined for the Central Railway, seen near Villivakkam last year. Photo: K.Pichumani
Not a crowd puller: The ticket machine based on lumpsum pre-paid cards has failed to take off in Chennai. Picture shows one under repair at the Egmore Railway Station on September 20. Photo: S.Thanthoni
No two days are different. For most passengers, there are few counters, and a large queue to contend with almost everyday, before boarding a suburban train or MRTS. Photo: S.Thanthoni
Yet, sometimes, even the suburban railways can surprise. Passengers on the inaugural run of a 'ladies special' on September 12, are greeted with flowers at the Tambaram Railway Station, the terminus for this train. Photo: R.Ragu
Outdated, deserted and far from clean. The appearance of the Kasturba Nagar Station of the MRTS highlights the priority that the service enjoys, despite its decongesting potential in a crowded Chennai. Photo: M. Karunakaran
Old and ignored. The Chintadripet Station of the MRTS has not received even a coat of paint in a long time. Chennai's MTC, the monopoly bus operator, is yet to operate full-fledged bus services using the vast space earmarked for it, in the station premises. That space is now sought by official agencies to be turned into a car park. Photo: S.S.Kumar
Slippery stations. Rainwater stagnates inside many MRTS stations, and commuters fear to use them during the monsoon, although travelling by two-wheelers is also difficult. This picture was taken in 2008, but many stations between Mylapore and Velachery are not yet completed. Photo: M. Karunakaran