No. of views : (6107)
Improving passenger amenities in the suburban trains in Chennai!!
Posted on: 08/Dec/2021 9:43:21 AM
The Coronavius pandemic has led to disruptions in the normal suburban train operations for the last 20 months. As a result, many infrastructural projects could not take off. It is important to mention that these projects include commissioning of lifts and escalators, construction of foot over bridges or FOB, maintenance of public conveniences and extension platforms etc.
From 15th of November 2021, the Southern Railways or SR has been operating the suburban trains in full force. The patronage in these trains has been returning back to the pre-Covid times also. Now, there is a growing need to improve the amenities for the passengers.
To implement various amenities for the passengers, the Chennai Division of SR is slowly resuming operations. Various works regarding construction of FOBs, commissioning of lifts and escalators, installation of CCTV cameras etc have been speeded up now.
In stations like Ambattur, Avadi, Villivakkam and Tiruninravur etc commissioning of lifts have been going on now. In stations at Guindy and Avadi, construction of FOB has been going on. This was highlighted by Mr. B. Guganesan, chief public relations officer of Southern Railways. At Ambattur and at Thiruninravur, the extension of platforms for accommodating 12 car rakes has started.
It is learnt that 2 lifts each would be installed in the stations belonging to Thiruninravur, Ambattur and Avadi etc. Through an initiative named ‘Meri Saheli’ of RPF, the Chennai division of SR has been working on improving cleanliness and preventing trespassing of tracks to avoid accidents, studying the feasibility of making FOBs more commuter friendly and improving passenger safety especially for women passengers etc. Inspections have been carried out by Divisional Railway Manager and by some senior officials. After inspections, the above mentioned activities have been initiated.
Many feedbacks were received from the commuters, associations etc and based on these feedbacks the initiative was framed.
