The Southern Railway has proposed to construct a limited use subway at the Pattabiram railway station and improve passenger amenities at the Thiruninravur railway station.

The proposal to construct a subway comes in the wake of residents of north and south Bazaar streets, located on both sides of the Pattabiram railway station, facing severe hardships in having to cross the railway tracks to visit the markets. While pedestrians have to cross the tracks dangerously, the motorists have to take a long detour via the flyover constructed on the Poonamallee-Pattabiram bypass road to reach the Bazaar roads on both sides.

Citing the various railway stations in the city undergoing redevelopment under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS), social activist R. Gopalakrishnan wanted the Pattabiram station also to be included in the scheme.

A senior official of Chennai division of Southern Railway said based on reports about difficulties faced by commuters to commute between north and south sides of the railway station and the dangers involved in crossing the track, a proposal has been sent to the Railway Board for construction of a subway under the Umbrella Work scheme. Also To enhance faster access facility through the foot over bridge for commuters, lift work is under process, which will be completed by December, he said.

The Chennai division is also taking steps to improve the passenger amenities at the Tiruninravur railway station by providing seating arrangements on all platforms as per the prescribed Minimum Essential Amenities  norms. To improve the safety of commuters at the railway station, CCTV cameras are being installed,with the work expected to be completed by this month, the official said.

S. Murugaian, president, Thiruninravur Rail Passengers Welfare Association, said that the long-pending request for CCTV cameras has been fulfilled. “The entrance to the railway station is occupied with parked vehicles which prevents access for persons with disabilities to use the ramp.The railway authorities must regulate parking,” he demanded.