CHENNAI: Pedestrians using the subway connecting Trisoolam railway station and the Chennai airport are facing problems because of lack of security and stagnating water. One can see a sheet of water on the ground soon after entering the subway from the station side. A ‘spring’ of water on the sides of the steps overflows on to the ground. Many passengers from the airport carrying heavy luggage, particularly those fitted with wheels, are put to lot of inconvenience.
People working in the airport lament that even after a short spell of rain, water stagnates in the subway. To avoid the water, some people take the risk of crossing the busy national highway to reach the airport or vice-versa with their luggage.
“Engineering marvel”
The subway was constructed at a cost of Rs.5 crore and inaugurated in April last year. National Highways Authorities of India (NHAI) officials had then termed the facility an engineering marvel, as it was constructed without any road cuts.
When contacted, NHAI officials said they had received complaints about water stagnation. Water from the Trisoolam station’s stormwater drains was seeping into the subway. The NHAI was pumping out the water. A meeting with the railway officials would be organised soon to sort out the issue. The officials said the maintenance of the subway had been handed over to a private contractor, who was baling out water during and after rain regularly.
Women harassed
Another major issue haunting the users was the lack of security and safety, particularly during late evening hours. This issue was raised at a recent meeting, in which the Airline Operators Committee (AOC) complained to the Airport Director that women working in airline counters and ground handling agencies at the airport had to encounter anti-social elements. They were being harassed by a group of autorickshaw drivers, who parked their vehicles near the subway. However, the victims had not filed any formal complaints with law-enforcing agencies. The AOC had requested the police to provide security at the subway during late evening hours, they added.
Stagnating water hits subway users
Chennai's Collapsing Infrastructure
Most of the subways and Road under Rail bridges are filled with water and not usable during monsoons. The quality of works is sub- standard and road surfaces do not last even 9 months. Add to this open storm drains turned into open sewage drains directly connected to sewer lines from houses and footpaths taken over by vendors and used as parking areas. There is no citizen safety in the streets of Chennai City for women as well as men.
Chennai Airport has become hotbed for con men, touts, beggars, scoundrels, and goons operating in the guise of travel agents or drivers freely operating in the International Airport car parking area. It seems that the local Police are in league with the hundreds of scoundrels operating 24x7 in the International Airport. The recent custom duty scam is also related to unauthorised touts operating in and around the Airport in connivance with the Authorities.
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