Entraining and detraining at the Nungambakkam railway station can be an ordeal.
After a long walk from the southern side of the station, which connects many streets of Choolaimedu, to the foot over bridge on the northern end, commuters are forced to climb the steep staircase to reach the platform.
Many feel a pedestrian subway such as the one in Tirusulam station would benefit commuters and residents.
On its part, the Choolaimedu Civic Exnora has been demanding the construction of a pedestrian subway on Station road for many years now.
Though funds have been partially released, the project is yet to see the light of the day.
“We had conducted a signature campaign in 2011 for the same and sent it to the Railway Ministry. Though the Ministry gave us a favourable reply, no positive steps have been taken. The southern side of the station is the nearest point for commuters to enter the station. To walk up to the FOB is tiring; to climb the staircase is even more tiring. A subway with a provision for a ramp would really help the commuters,” says S. Kasturi Rangan, secretary of the Civic Exnora.
Then, the members wrote multiple letters to the department. “There was a glimmer of hope when the officials told us that work on the pedestrian subway at the Nungambakkam Station would be taken up along with work on two other projects: construction of an escalator at the Egmore Station and a pedestrian subway at Park Town station. Funds for both of these projects were only partially released. The railway says they are still waiting to receive additional funds to take up the project,” he says.
People like Sridhar, who commutes from Chrompet to Nungambakkam every day, are unsure about the feasibility of the project. “The station road being very narrow, I don’t think the project will be taken up.”
But at the same time he agrees the problem needs to be addressed.
“To avoid the exertion of taking the FOB, many walk on the platform and take the passage connecting to Nelson Manickam Road Subway, endangering life and limb. This passage was eventually closed down after it registered an alarming number of accidents. Passengers are now left with no choice but to use the FOB. An alternative passageway, one that is safe, would be of great help.”
“The project has been sanctioned under the MPLAD scheme. After conducting a feasibility study, we have now called for tenders. Work should begin soon. Lack of space makes it impossible to construct a subway on the southern side. We are looking at the middle of the station. The subway would help passengers as it will have the minimum of steps,” says a railway official.
