Commuters suffer more from lack of amenities at MRTS stations

Commuters suffer more from lack of amenities at MRTS stations

A large crowd of commuters is seen jostling in and out of the Chintadripet Railway Station these days, whether it is peak hour or non-peak hour. With the Velachery-Beach services on the elevated structure (Mass Rapid Transport System-MRTS) terminating at Chintadripet since August, the station has been witnessing huge footfall. This has brought to light the lack of basic amenities and the severe inconvenience caused to commuters.

As the railways undertakes a 4.2-km fourth line between the Beach and Egmore stations, the MRTS services from Velachery to Beach have been inoperative between Chintadripet and Beach. The services are being operated from Chintadripet instead of Beach. The arrangement will be in place for seven months.

The main complaint is the reduction in the frequency of trains, which are being operated only once every 25 minutes. R. Meenakshi, a regular commuter from Perungudi, says that at peak hours, it is very tough to find a seat since the ladies’ compartment is overcrowded. “They have cut the services at peak hours. Earlier, we used to get a train every 10 minutes. Now, they have made it once in nearly half-an-hour. In the morning office hours, there is one train at 9.10 a.m. at Velachery and the next is available only at 9.35 a.m. At least, they can increase the frequency at peak hours,” Ms. Meenakshi says.

R. K. Prabhu, an advocate, says, “We feel the seven-month period for completion of the fourth line is too long, given the latest technologies. Very often we see overcrowding since the train operates only once every 25 minutes.” Akila, a regular commuter, says, “Earlier, it took 40 minutes to reach Beach. But now it takes 40 minutes to reach Chintadripet as the train stops a little longer at Triplicane and Chepauk. Office-goers, like me, have to travel with much anxiety to reach the office in time.”

At the Chintadripet station, the commuters are allowed to go out on one side of the staircases, while the other side is closed. The huge crowd struggles to get down the stairs and board buses operated by the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC). Only one lift is in operation, but there is no signboard to direct the commuters to the lift. Thankfully, the MTC and railway help-desks are operational.

Buses are operated from Chintadripet to Central Railway Station and other areas. But the commuters have to tread on the broken pavements to get into a bus. There is no signboard indicating the route number or destination. Almost all the buses are bound for Central Railway Station.

G. Venkatesan, president, Tamil Nadu Secretariat Staff Association, says that at least 1,000 staff members who are using the MRTS services now are not able to reach their office on time. Earlier, they used to get down at Fort to reach the office. After the services were terminated at Chintadripet, three buses are being operated to the Secretariat. However, it takes a long time to reach the Secretariat. “So, the majority of our staff members have to get down at Chepauk or Triplicane and walk to Beach Road to take an autorickshaw or a share-auto to reach the Secretariat. They face a similar problem in the evening while going home.”