RailEnquiry

With Deepavali round the corner, authorities are gearing up to manage the crowd at Mambalam railway station and T Nagar bus terminus,the nerve centres for shopping.

While the Railway Protection Force (RPF), under the directions of Senior Divisional Security Commissioner S R Gandhi and sub- inspector S Maharajan, have beefed up security at the Mambalam railway station, the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) is operating 250 additional bus services connecting T Nagar with other parts of Chennai.

According to sources, a special booth has been put up to guide commuters alighting at the Mambalam railway station for shopping. “People are cautioned against chain- snatchers and they can contact the authorities at the booth if they have any complaints. Pamphlets comprising safety measures will also be distributed to the people,” an official said.

In a bid to keep criminals at bay, RPF personnel have been posted in mufti. “Security personnel in plain clothes travel in EMU trains between Nungambakkam and Guindy to keep an eye on trouble-makers. They will also monitor if crackers are being transported in trains, which is an offence under the Railways Act,” the official said.

According to sources, on an average, about four lakh people visit Mambalam railway station from different parts of the state for shopping.

A senior MTC official said, “During weekends, we are running more students and ladies’ special buses to T Nagar and Purasawalkam. Also, a special officer is deputed to oversee the operations.