Chennai Egmore Station Roof Removal Leaves Commuters in Scorching Sun
In Chennai, amid an ongoing station redevelopment project, commuters at Egmore's suburban platforms, including senior citizens and children, have been left to brave the blistering sun after the roofs were dismantled without arranging any temporary shelter. This situation has sparked widespread criticism from passengers who question the lack of alternative arrangements during the renovation process.
Redevelopment Project and Roof Removal
Southern Railway had taken up the work of redeveloping Egmore station to offer enhanced infrastructure and airport-like facilities for passengers. The tender for this redevelopment was awarded in October 2022. As part of the project, the roofs of two suburban platforms were removed last week, leaving commuters exposed to harsh weather conditions.
Passengers have expressed frustration over the absence of temporary shelters. R Thilagavathy, an office-goer, stated, "It is hard to stand under the sun without a roof for a long time, especially as train timings are not fixed and delays occur. Even after a week, the new roof has not been installed. Passengers, particularly senior citizens and children, are worst affected."
Passenger Concerns and Demands
Commuters are calling for better planning and coordination from railway authorities. A Arokiyaraj, a regular commuter, emphasized, "The authorities should have planned this better. Removing the roof without putting up a temporary shelter shows a lack of coordination. While redevelopment is necessary, passenger comfort and safety must come first."
Passengers are urging railway authorities to install temporary heat-resistant sheets and provide basic amenities during the renovation period to mitigate the inconvenience.
Railway Response
When contacted, M Senthamil Selvan, chief public relations officer of Southern Railway, responded, "The overall station redevelopment is under way, and the roof was removed as part of the renovation process. Work is being carried out in phases to minimize inconvenience to passengers." However, commuters argue that the current lack of shelters contradicts this goal.
The situation highlights the challenges of balancing infrastructure upgrades with passenger welfare, as Egmore station undergoes its transformation to modern facilities.
