RailEnquiry

Commuter grouse with the state of affairs at four suburban railway stations is growing. The findings of a survey conducted at St Thomas Mount, Palavanthangal, Chromepet and Tambaram stations by a civil society group has demonstrated the discontent with the services provided by the railways.The biggest concerns at the stations were the lack of security, availability of drinking water and poor sanitation facilities. This apart, the lack of proper ticket counters was also a major area of concern. The final report on the findings of the survey are expected to be released sometime over the coming week.Chromepet station continues to be in the dark spot in railway security, according to the survey carried out by a Nanganallur-based Traffic and Transportation forum. The station, according to the forum’s representatives, was the scene of the maximum number of chain snatching incidents across the entire line from Beach to Tambaram. This was due to the absence of CCTV cameras, which made apprehending snatchers and preventing such crimes impossible, the commuters said.“We found an opinion that the railway police must take the responsibility of charging fines from illegal vendors and hawkers,” says V Rama Rao, project director of the survey.To make matters worse is the fact that ticket counters were closed at a number of stations a few years ago, leaving one operating counter, where at least two were required. The ticket-vending machines that have been installed have also failed to make any real impact on this front, the survey revealed.

Absence of ramps and non-functioning escalators were making it difficult for disabled, pregnant or aged commuters, said Rao.