Delay in erecting escalator irks rail commuters at Mambalam

Situated very near to T Nagar, the commercial hub of Chennai, the Mambalam railway station is one of the most important stations in the city and despite its prime location, it lacks several basic facilities that are required by the rail commuters for a hassle-free journey.

With close proximity to Ranganathan Street, Pondy Bazaar and Usman Road which are shopping hubs of the locality, the Mambalam railway station records a footfall of more than 50,000 every day. Mambalam also witnesses many people from different parts of the city coming there to shop and is frequented by others who come to West Mamabalam since there are many community halls located in the area.

According to sources, the station would be filled with people from early morning until midnight every day. During the festival seasons, the footfall of the station would cross over one lakh, resulting in an uncontrollable crowd of commuters. However, the most common complaint most of the commuters lodge is the restroom which is located in the station does not function properly and claim that most of the time the restroom is locked. A woman commuter said, “Several men relieve themselves in the station premises since the restroom is locked and it is very disgusting for us to cross the place. The railways are requesting us to keep the station clean but they should also provide some of the basic facilities like a restroom.”

The commuters also complained that until a year back ticket counters were functioning on the Ranganathan Street side of the station too, but were closed without any information. Now, the commuters need to walk to the other side to buy the tickets and wait in a long queue. They also said that most of the time only two counters are functioning while the rest remain closed.

The passengers complained that the construction of an escalator at the entrance which started a long ago has not been completed yet and said that it would be convenient if an escalator is available on the first and second platform since most of the senior citizens find it difficult to use the steps while carrying luggage. “I have seen elderly people struggle to climb the steps with heavy bags and I would help them to carry it for a while,” said Ramesh, a staff working at a shop in Mambalam. The commuters also claimed that the third and fourth platforms of the station lacks security during night and anti-socials would consume liquor there.

When contacted, an official at Mambalam railway station said that the restroom is currently under maintenance and soon it would be opened again. He added that ticket counters on the Ranganathan Street side were closed following the construction work and would be opened shortly after the work is over. “Soon there would be an escalator on the first and second platforms too, he said, adding that since there is a shortage of staff, all counters at the station could not be opened at the same time.