Commuters want the Southern Railway to close a small passage near the first platform at Ambattur railway station as it seems to be serving miscreants more than commuters.
The passage was created to provide an additional entry point for commuters, thereby reducing the congestion at the main entrance to the station. Commuters however complain that using the passageway, anti-socials misuse a section of premises, especially at night.
“Safety of commuters, especially women, is at stake as strangers roam around the station, using the passage that connects the station with GNT Colony in Ambattur,” says T. Gunaseelan, a resident of Ambattur.
Located between Thirumullaivoyal and Pattaravakkam stations, the Ambattur station is one of busiest on western sub-urban rail line, as workers from Ambattur Industrial Estate and employees of rail loco works use it every day.
Besides, residents of Padi, Mannurpet, Karukku, Kallikuppam, Menambedu and Pattaravakkam board trains from the station.
Every day, on an average, around 260 trips are being made by suburban trains on the western rail route between Chennai Central and Arakkonam, which is the last suburban railway station in the western part of the city. In fact, after the Chennai Beach–Tambaram section, with three lakh commuters every day, the Chennai Central – Arakkonam line, is the busiest suburban rail route in the city. “Steps will be taken soon to close the passage at the railway station,” says a railway official.