Chaos Erupts on Chennai Suburban Trains as Egmore Redevelopment Begins
For thousands of office-goers, school students, and college students who rely solely on electric multiple units (EMUs) for their daily commute, the first day of revised suburban train operations to facilitate the redevelopment of Chennai Egmore railway station was marked by widespread confusion and significant disruptions. Commuters faced a host of challenges, including risky walks along railway tracks, snail-paced trains, overcrowded platforms, delayed services, and trains queuing on the same track during peak hours, particularly on the Chennai Beach–Tambaram stretch.
Revised Schedule and Operational Changes
Starting from Friday, February 20, as part of the ongoing redevelopment work at Chennai Egmore station, the frequency of suburban trains has been reduced from the regular 204 services to 164 services. Additionally, suburban trains have been shifted from platforms 10 and 11 to platforms 5 and 6. This revised schedule is set to remain in force until April 5, aiming to minimize passenger inconvenience during the construction phase.
Day One Disruptions and Commuter Plight
On the inaugural day, the reduced frequency of trains was compounded by delayed departures and arrivals at Egmore station. This led to trains queuing on the same track and halting at adjacent stations such as Chennai Park, Chetpet, and Nungambakkam. In some instances, commuters were forced to disembark from trains and walk along the tracks to reach their destinations, highlighting serious safety concerns.
R Rishidharan, a college student, shared his experience: "I reached Egmore station promptly to catch the 7:50 am train, but was shocked to see a heavy crowd on the platform. Though staffers guided commuters to platforms 5 and 6, delays caused impatience. I boarded at 8:15 am, originally scheduled for 7:40 am, and the train moved at a snail’s pace until Chetpet." His return journey was equally troubled, as he got stuck in one of three trains halted between Nungambakkam and Chetpet.
Vijayan, a secretariat staffer, reported: "I started from Vandalur at 8 am as usual, aiming to reach Chennai Fort by 9:30 am, but trains slowed after Mambalam and halted at Chetpet. Many like me were stranded for over an hour, reaching the office at 10:30 am." Another commuter, Dharani, who boarded at Tambaram at 8:45 am, noted that the train had not yet crossed Chetpet, emphasizing the severe impact on office-goers.
Railway Officials Respond to Criticism
Railway officials acknowledged the issues reported on day one, attributing some delays to operational adjustments. They explained that trains arriving from Tambaram slowed down after Chetpet, operating at a speed of 15 kmph as they had to traverse five tracks to enter platform 5. An official stated: "The revised schedule and operations were arrived at after multiple deliberations to minimize passenger inconvenience. We requested MTC and CMRL to augment services for those affected. We are taking feedback from commuters and will implement corrective measures."
Despite these assurances, commuters complained of poor planning by railway officials, resulting in chaotic situations across stations on the stretch. The disruptions have sparked concerns about the adequacy of contingency plans during the redevelopment period, with many calling for more efficient coordination and communication to prevent future incidents.
