Tambaram Station Escalators Remain Inoperative, Causing Major Commuter Hardship
In a significant infrastructure failure, thousands of passengers arriving by train from various districts, along with commuters switching between trains and MTC buses, are compelled to climb steep stairs daily. This inconvenience arises because the escalators on the foot overbridge across Grand Southern Trunk Road near Tambaram railway station in Chennai rarely function properly.
Commuters Voice Frustration Over Persistent Issues
The foot overbridge, inaugurated in 2023, features four escalators—two on either side of the road. However, commuters and local residents have consistently reported that these escalators do not operate reliably. They accuse state highways and Tambaram corporation officials of neglecting the problem, leading to severe inconvenience for daily travelers.
Sudershan, an employee at a private firm who regularly uses the bridge, shared his experience: "On some days, the escalators on the bus side do not work, and on others, it's those on the railway station side. I have often seen senior citizens left confused on seeing the stationary escalators with steep steps, struggling to navigate the climb."
High Electricity Bills Blamed for Escalator Shutdowns
Sources within the highways department revealed that the escalators are frequently switched off to manage escalating electricity costs. "After the electricity tariff revision in the past few years, the bill for the escalators surged beyond 1 lakh rupees. Since claiming these bills became challenging, the escalators are operated for limited hours only," explained a department source.
The contract originally stipulated operating the escalators for just 12 hours daily. However, to meet commuter demand, they have been running from 3 AM to 11 PM, exceeding the agreed timeframe and resulting in higher electricity consumption. "Additionally, the escalators lack sensor-based operation and require manual intervention to switch them on and off, making the process even more cumbersome," the source added.
Broader Infrastructure Gaps in Chennai's Transport Hubs
This issue is not isolated to Tambaram. P Viswanathan of Chitlapakkam highlighted that foot overbridges at Sanatorium, where a government hospital was inaugurated last year, and Chromepet also lack escalators, compounding accessibility problems across the region.
In response, highways assistant engineer Senthil Kumar provided an update: "New escalators for both Sanatorium and Chromepet are expected soon. We anticipate installation by the end of this month to address these gaps and improve commuter safety and convenience."
The persistent malfunction of escalators at key transit points like Tambaram station underscores broader challenges in maintaining public infrastructure amidst rising operational costs. As commuters continue to face daily hardships, calls for more sustainable and reliable solutions grow louder among Chennai's traveling community.
