CHENNAI: Commuters transiting from Moore Market Complex and Park Station as well as others frequenting the Chennai Central Station are using a portion of the pedestrian pathway near the Foot Over Bridge (FOB) as a public urinal.
The neglected space lies beside the Railway Protection Force (RPF) outpost and provides adequate cover for those taking a leak as a number of abandoned vehicles dot the pathway.
In addition, it is converted into a cesspool of slush, mud and garbage during rains. “The place is poorly maintained. This is why some commuters don’t think twice before urinating there. The stench is unbearable while walking past it,” said a Central government employee who frequents the route.
The spot also lies beside the parking space inside the station, which incidentally is unmanned as the contract expired in June this year. Few are aware of the presence of a public toilet beside the parking lot as there are no display boards. RPF and other security staff pointed out that despite repeated requests to dissuade people from doing it, they couldn’t prevent it. On the removal of abandoned vehicles, the list had already been sent to higher officials, but there was confusion as to whether it was the jurisdiction of the RPF or the Government Railway Police, said an RPF staffer.
“The station toilets are too far inside. I have to pay `2 there. If the Railways provides a toilet in this area for free, I shall use that,” said an elderly gentleman, who did not want to be named. A railway official told City Express that they had approached the Chennai Corporation to provide Namma Toilets at the spot. “We have also asked the staff to clean the area periodically,” the official added.