The absence of a roof on the foot overbridge (FOB) at Fort railway station in Chennai has created significant difficulties for thousands of daily commuters. The FOB serves as the only connection to Muthuswamy road near the Tamil Nadu Govt Dental College and Hospital. Fort station is a crucial hub on both the Beach-Chengalpet and Beach-Velachery routes, with over 300 suburban train services operating daily.
Commuters Express Frustration
P Balaji, a government employee and regular commuter, voiced his concerns: "It has been nearly six months since they removed the roof from the FOB. I think the contractor has fled because I have seen no official come and inspect this place since then."
M Abbas, an auto driver, highlighted the heavy usage: "From 9am till 11am, more than a thousand people commute via this bridge, and in the evening, it remains busy with office-goers returning home and the public until night." He added that several government employees, traders heading to Burma Bazaar and Parry's Corner, passengers going to Broadway bus terminus, and those traveling to Central station alight at this station.
Basic Amenities Lacking
Shyamala Selvadurai, an advocate at the high court, questioned the lack of basic facilities: "Isn't a roof over the bridge a basic requirement? What amount of money, resources, or workers are needed to get it fixed? I have been commuting via this bridge for several months. Recently, there was a brief spell of rain and commuters had no shelter. As many elderly people use the FOB, it requires an elevator too."
Railway Official Responds
A senior official from Southern Railway stated, "Work inside the station premises has been completed. The balance works on the roadside and re-roofing works on the FOB bridge will be carried out soon. Partial traffic regulation and road closures need to be coordinated, and they will be done soon."
