With a view of prevent deaths due to trespassing on tracks, railway authorities have begun work on constructing compound walls.
The Southern Railway’s Chennai division operates three major suburban networks, apart from the Mass Rapid Transit System and in most places, the train tracks are unprotected, leading to a number of commuters crossing them and often getting killed or injured in the process.
Walls for a length of 14 km will be built between Guindy and Tambaram. Currently, construction of a 7-feet high compound wall is on near St. Thomas Mount railway station and such walls would cover other places in the coming months, according railway sources, who said the 30-km Chennai Beach-Tambaram stretch will have walls constructed on both sides by the start of next year.
Stray animals
The walls will also restrict the entry of stray animals on tracks. There have been instances of cattle getting trapped on tracks due to the lack of compound walls.
“These walls will prevent trespassing provided they are not damaged. Some passengers damage the walls to gain illegal entry into the railway premises. It jeopardises the safety of others,” said a senior official. Commuters have the responsibility of protecting themselves by using foot overbridges and subways, he said.
The administration will also repair damaged walls at 15 locations near St. Thomas Mount, Pazhavanthangal, Pallavaram, Chromepet and Tambaram Sanatorium. “These are stretches where the walls are repeatedly damaged. However, we will fix them along with the newly constructed portions,” he added.
The construction of the walls was a long-pending demand of commuter activists who said that the move will reduce fatalities and discourage littering. “We have been demanding the construction of the wall along the Chennai Central-Gummudipoondi section. I hope administration completes it on a priority basis,” said J. Santhosh of Vyasarpadi.
