Dungeon-like subway scares commuters at Meenambakkam station

Despite being one of the oldest railway stations in the suburbs of Chennai, Meenambakkam railway station lacks the basic facilities that are required.

Operational for decades, the Meenambakkam station was one of the busiest stations during 1980s when the Chennai airport was functioning in Meenambakkam. Besides being used by air passengers, the railway station also catered to employees of private factories that were operating in the area.

In 1985, the airport was shifted to Tirusulam and factories were closed down subsequently, due to which the footfall at the station reduced. According to sources, nearly 3,000 people use the station every day now.

The station will be crowded in the morning and evening as a private college is located near the station. The Airports Authority of India’s (AAI) cargo section and its quarters are also located very close. Railway sources said residents of Moovarasanpet and Nanganalur also use the railway station.

Commuters complain that the station is in dire need of Swacch Bharat campaign and is never clean as compared to other stations. They complain that the walls of the station are defaced and the roof is also in bad shape. Additionally, the pedestrian subway does not even have a single functioning light and during the rains, the subway begins to leak.

Commuters also claim that the restroom is located at the end of the platform and most of the passengers do not even know that the restroom exists in the station. “The way to the restroom is surrounded by bushes and we cannot access it easily. Restrooms should be accessible easily and there should be signboards placed in the station,” said Yabes, a regular commuter.

“I was waiting for Tirumalpur EMU one evening when the display board showed the next train goes Tirumalpur. However, only four Beach-Tambaram EMUs arrived. Only after enquiry, I came to know that Tirumalpur EMU had already gone and the staff had forgotten to change the display board. Such is the condition of the station,” said another commuter, on condition of anonymity.

The public also complained that the third and fourth platforms, which are hardly used, should also be taken care of with proper lightings as anti-social activities are rife there at night. They said the station should have CCTV cameras and it will be helpful for the people who are travelling late at night.

When contacted, Meenambakkam railway station in-charge K Suresh said, “We will look into the issues and take all the steps to maintain the station perfect and clean.”