CHENNAI: Local residents want the level-crossing 2 very close to Korukkupet railway station to be eliminated and replaced with either a road overbridge (RoB) or vehicular subway. They say there is a huge vehicle pileup on either side of the gates, especially during rush hour. As gates are not opened, vehicles are forced to wait for more than half-an-hour at times.
The LC-2 links Ennore High Road and Kannan Street in Korukkupet. The morning rush hour stretches from 6 to 10 and the evening rush hour from 5 to 8. Residents say the RoB on Cochrane Basin Bridge road, which eliminated another level crossing, was supposed to spare motorists. But a year on, following its inauguration, the burden on LC 2 has only increased further. They complain that the Cochrane Basin Bridge flyover presents a roundabout route and is not convenient.
As per railway policy, it is norm to proceed with RoB and subway works if the number of train vehicle units (TVU) exceeds the one-lakh mark. TVU is a ratio of the number of vehicles that pass through the road as against the number of train traffic.
According to the survey taken in February this year, nearly two lakh vehicles pass through that level-crossing. This would mean the necessity of either an RoB or subway is beyond question.
Manoharan, a local resident, said RoB or subway is a must considering public interest. “In the past, officials surveyed the area but no follow-up steps have been taken. The traffic bottleneck is a nightmare for emergency vehicles,” he said.
It is not only public but Korukkupet station officials also who are put to trouble. They say the situation during rush hour is unmanageable. On an average, around 180 trains including EMU, express and freight trains pass through Korukkupet daily. “Trains always ply at very slow speed even if the gates are downed. There are times when trains are halted to let the vehicles pass by,” said an official on condition of anonymity.