Commuter Inconvenience: Sans foot overbridge, commuters in Korukkupet Stn risk their lives

Despite being one of the most important railway stations near to the Communicable Diseases Hospital (Cholera Hospital) in Tondiarpet, the Korukkupet railway station lacks a foot overbridge. The public have to risk their lives to cross the tracks.

More than 1,000 passengers use Korukkupet railway station on a daily basis. They have been urging the authorities to construct a foot overbridge to avoid mishap at the level crossing. Besides, commuters are in want of a public toilet in the station. But it has been under construction for more than five months now. The only toilet available in the station remains closed the whole day.

“This is the shortest route to reach the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), or else we have to take a detour of about three kilometres. I have seen people crossing the tracks when the gate is closed and also have asked them not to do it because it is highly dangerous. Still, they don’t have the patience to wait for even 10 minutes. It is especially women who cross the gate and run when the train comes,” said Vinayakam P, a motorist.

The public added that the situation is worse during peak hours. Even parents with children can be seen running across the tracks when the train is minutes away. “They are living a wrong example for their children. Kids should learn good values from parents and this like misleading the future generation. Sometimes, we have also seen them fall and hurt themselves,” said Prabhakaran G, another motorist.

Adding to the woes, commuters have to walk for a kilometre to reach the nearby bus stop or autorickshaw stand and they complain that there is a lack of parking facility at the station. The public is also forced to throw waste and litter the station as there are no dustbins.

The station has developed comparing to the past years and the change has been welcomed by the public. “Earlier, there were no basic amenities. But compared to a few years ago, the station has improved a lot. We had to wait in the sun until the train arrives and many elderly people have had fainted in the past. But there are roofs for both the platforms,” said Ganesh Babu, a passenger.

The station is also not disabled-friendly and does not have any ramps. Differently-abled passengers have no choice but to struggle to get into the station, crossing the track or climb the stairs to reach the platform.

However, the Railway Police Force (RPF) takes three shifts and stays throughout the day.

Speaking to DT Next, a Korukkupet railway station official said, “We have given petitions to senior officials, asking for an overbridge without which it is difficult for both the staff and public. Even the police have warned the public not to cross the tracks when the gate is closed but they don’t abide. Also, the construction of the toilets is expected to be completed soon.”