Key elevator dysfunctional for several years

Apart from serving passengers carrying heavy luggage, the elevator was also intended to benefit public especially senior citizens. But the facility has been rendered useless due to lack of maintenance. 

The pedestrian subway, built by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) at a cost of Rs 17 crore, was inaugurated in 2008. As senior citizens and differently-abled persons found it difficult to climb the steps to reach the airport, an elevator was also provided. Following an intense spell of rains in December 2009, when the subway was submerged, the elevator was filled with water. The lift stopped working from then. 

“Passengers are having a tough time to reach the airport after getting down from the train. I have raised complaints many times to the officials concerned regarding this but they are not taking any action,” said V Santhanam, President of the Chennai Suburban Railway Passengers Association. 

The worst affected are the families who come with heavy load of bags, as they are forced to climb up more than 30 steps to reach the airport, Santhanam added. 

When contacted, Ravi, Assistant Divisional Engineer of State Highways, which is responsible for maintaining the facility, said, “We are working on the issue and we will soon undertake the repair work. There are also plans to increase the capacity of the lift.”