Pattabiram Commuters Demand Urgent Subway Amidst Growing Safety Concerns

The daily commute for thousands of residents in Chennai's bustling Pattabiram locality has become a perilous ordeal, marked by long waits and life-threatening dashes across active railway tracks. Commuters at Pattabiram railway station are reaching their breaking point, issuing a fervent plea for the immediate construction of a subway or a foot overbridge (FOB) to ensure their safety and alleviate the constant fear that shadows their journeys.

Pattabiram station, a crucial interchange point for passengers heading towards Avadi and Arakkonam, serves a densely populated residential area, home to many government employees and defence personnel.

Yet, despite its significance, the station's infrastructure lags dangerously behind, forcing an estimated 25,000 to 30,000 commuters daily to brave four active tracks — a gauntlet of EMU, express, and goods trains that crisscross the station at alarming frequencies.

Imagine the scene: a platform on one side, an urgent need to reach a train on the other, and a barrier of steel and speed in between.

Currently, passengers are left with two dire choices: wait for up to 20 agonizing minutes for a train to clear the crossing, or risk their lives by dangerously navigating the tracks. This isn't just an inconvenience; it's a safety crisis. Numerous accidents, some fatal, have been tragically reported as commuters, desperate to catch their trains or simply get home, attempt the perilous crossing.

The current setup is woefully inadequate.

The station boasts only two platforms, one for 'up' trains and another for 'down' trains. This means anyone needing to cross from one side to the other, or from the residential areas to their respective platforms, must contend with the four main lines. This burden falls disproportionately on vulnerable groups – senior citizens, women, and children – for whom the dash across tracks is not just difficult, but terrifyingly dangerous.

The demand for a subway isn't new; it's a long-standing cry for help.

A subway project was reportedly sanctioned years ago, offering a glimmer of hope that has since faded into frustration as the ground reality remains unchanged. Commuters, through various associations and individuals, have repeatedly submitted petitions to railway officials and local representatives, articulating their dire need for safer passage.

They've even suggested an alternative: constructing a new platform on the southern side for Arakkonam-bound trains, which could alleviate some of the congestion and danger.

Beyond the critical need for a subway or FOB, passengers also highlight the general lack of basic amenities. Toilets, proper waiting rooms, and reliable water facilities are sorely missed, further compounding the daily challenges faced by those who rely on Pattabiram station.

While there's a glimmer of hope from past interactions with railway officials, who hinted at a subway's sanction and work commencing by March-April 2024, commuters remain anxiously awaiting concrete action on the ground.

For the thousands who navigate Pattabiram station every day, a subway or a foot overbridge is not a luxury, but a fundamental right to safe passage.

It's a vital piece of infrastructure that could save lives, restore peace of mind, and transform a dangerous daily ritual into a secure and dignified commute. The time for promises is over; the time for urgent action is now.