Chromepet railway station fails accessibility test

CHENNAI: Chromepet Railway Station stands as a stark example of accessibility challenges faced by commuters. The entrance is obstructed by debris, compelling travellers to dangerously maneuver through railway tracks to reach the platforms.

On Tuesday morning, Lavanya Maheshwari, 56, who was on wheelchair, had to wait for 45-minutes for help from railway staff to access the platform. The ramp near the foot-over-bridge her usual route to the booking office was taken over by tipplers and vendors. The lift and escalator in the station were defunct. Another commuter, Tamizh Rani C, a 58-year-old flower vendor, said “ I cannot climb the stairs so I can’t use foot-over-bridge. Many stations are getting redeveloped but we still walk over the tracks to reach the platform,” she said.

The uneven surfaces surrounding the station pose difficulties, particularly for pedestrians with mobility impairments. Commuters are now demanding for improved accessibility across stations, but officials say they have no funds as Southern Railway is yet to sanction a redevelopment project for Chromepet Railway Station.

Despite efforts to report concerns through RailMadad, a mobile application recommended by Southern Railway, challenges persist. Ranjana Devi, a Southern Railway commercial supervisor, encouraged reporting issues through the app, but some commuters like Tamizh find even that challenging.

“I don’t know how to use these apps. Whenever I go to the station master office, nobody is there to report issues,” she said.

Disability rights activist Sathish Kumar said the city’s stations are yet to be truly disabled-friendly. He stressed the importance of regular maintenance for existing escalators and lifts, calling for immediate action.

“We are conducting campaigns and surveys to compile a database. This aims to identify spaces that can be redeveloped to better suit the needs of people with disabilities and senior citizens,” he said.