It’s a year since the State Highways Department decided to construct a road overbridge (ROB), replacing the existing manned-level crossing at Annanoor railway station, near Ambattur. The project got the administrative nod of the State government in 2012, but is yet to take off the ground, due to lack of coordination between Southern Railway and State Highways.
Between Chennai Central and Tiruvallur railway stations, a distance of around 50km, Annanoor railway station is one of five most accident-prone spots as per a recent study carried out by Southern Railways.
The other stations are: Vysarpadi, Villivakkam, Pattabiram and Thirunindravur. On an average, three persons are said to meet with fatal accidents on the tracks every week at these stations.
Most of these deaths occur when commuters cross the tracks while talking over mobile phones and failing to notice approaching trains.
“Though Annanoor station is small, many commuters prefer to board trains from this station to avoid having to takin trains from Avadi station, which is too crowded. Avadi station is located around one kilometre from Annanoor railway station,” says K. Prakash, a resident of Annanoor.
As per plan, a 200metres-long two-lane bridge will be built at a cost of ₹24 crore. Small vehicles including cars and two-wheelers can use the bridge. According to existing work standards, work on the railway track portion, including subways and bridges, have to be executed by the Engineering Division of Southern Railway. On the other hand, work on the ramp portion on connecting roads must be carried out by the respective State agencies and local bodies, which include State Highways and Greater Chennai Corporation. For instance, the connecting road work on Rangarajapuram bridge, near Kodambakkam railway station, was executed by Greater Chennai Corporation. Moreover, as per norms, the total cost of the project should be equally shared by all agencies involved. An official from the State Highways Department said, “The reluctance on the part of Railways to start the pile work on the track is causing the delay in the commencement of the work.
Railway officials say unlike big stations such as Villivakkam and Perambur, which have many tracks, Annanoor station has only three tracks with two tracks meant for suburban trains and the third one for express and goods trains. “Any change in suburban rail line will affect local train services. We have asked the State Highways to start their part of work as most of it will be on the connecting road, which will not affect train services. Subsequently, we will start the track work.”
