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NT Bureau
Chennai, Feb 19:

SMALL OPENING, BIG TROUBLE: Passengers risk life and limb, trying to squeeze themselves through a small gap adjacent to the railway track at Mambalam to exit the station. There is an urgent need to construct a foot overbridge at the northern end of the platform to solve the problem.

        Surging crowds are a problem in T Nagar and Mambalam areas. For those heading for the Mambalam Railway Station and those exiting it.

        The rather long platform for long-distance trains at the station makes things difficult for those alighting right at the front. Getting out of the station can be quite a task for many as they have to walk a long distance to climb the stairs. The need of the hour is an foot- overbridge at the northern end of the platform, which would serve the commuters better. Now, passengers use a small opening that leads to Mambalam High Road to exit the station.

        People make use of the broken parapet wall along the railway track adjoining Tanjore Street and board autorickshaws, who are more often than not ready to fleece them, says Ranganathan, a resident of Tanjore Street.

        Commuters feel comfortable to just cross the track and board an autorickshaw instead of walking down to other end of the platform to climb the overbridge to reach the crowded Ranganathan Street or Station Road at West Mambalam, says Sudarshan, a resident of M S Salai. Emboldened by the fact that no train would come on the tracks for at least some time, members of the public squeeze themselves through the passage on the parapet wall, says Venkatesan.

        Another overhead bridge at the other end of the Railway Station will help find a permanent solution to the problem.

        First of all the railway authorities must seal all entry points on the parapet wall along the railway track. It must take steps to construct another overbridge for the convenience of the passengers, says Rupaganathan. Coolies on their part say only autorickshaw drivers stand to benefit and add that they are the worst affected.

        Speaking to News Today, Logu, a coolie, said,'we are not at all satisfied with the present situation. The broken parapet wall along the railway track has become the entry point for commuters. The commuters alighting from the train do not bother to wait for coolies. They just cross the track in minutes and board autorickshaws waiting to pick them up.' The exit points at Ranganathan Street in T Nagar at one end and Station Road in West Mambalam at other end are congested.

        Parking of autos has become a problem. Proposal to construct a overbridge at the other end with exit points at Tanjore Road and Lake View Road would serve all sections including coolies, concludes Rangaswamy.