Tirusulam railway commuters demand security and better facilities

Tirusulam assumes significance as it has the railway station, bus stop, airport and metro station, all situated within a few kilometres distance.

Earlier, thousands of people used to travel on the local EMU from Tirusulam railway station. Commuters, including air passengers and some airport staff, said that they do not always use the railway station at night as the subway and the station is unsafe without any security.

Dinesh Kumar, a commuter from Tirusulam, said, “If I take EMU, I will reach home 20 minutes earlier than by travelling on a bus. But lack of facilities at the station and poor maintenance forces me to travel by bus.” Inadequate drinking water and restroom facilities are the other issues faced by the commuters at the station.

Commuters claimed that the restrooms are closed most of the time and, if opened, they are accessible only from 10 am to 5 pm. There are no fixed rates to use the restroom and the employees are collecting up to Rs 10. Also, there are no parking facilities available at the station and commuters need to park their two-wheelers on the road.

Lack of canteen and an announcement system are also some of the other woes of the rail commuters using the station.

When asked about the lack of announcement system, an employee of the station said that there are speakers but there is no facility to make announcements.

An RPF Inspector, seeking anonymity said, 30% of the posts are vacant and the RPF is short staffed. “If those posts are filled, we can provide better security at Thirusulam railway station,” he said.