CHENNAI: Tambaram, soon to be the city’s third railway terminal after Central and Egmore, has a long way to go before being able to cater to Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), senior citizens and others, who might need assistance for accessing the station and its platforms.
The struggle starts with gaining entry to the station. While the west side of the station has a ramp and lift connecting to the foot-over bridge, the eastern side, which is equally patronized does not have a lift. “There is an escalator at this end but there should be lifts or elevators, which is more conducive to our needs,” said D Hariharan, 67, a resident of Selaiyur.
The next challenge is availing wheelchairs. A signboard near the station manager room states wheelchairs could be obtained from the station superintendent office or RPF security booth.
However, it was not available at the security booth on the main entrance (western side), forcing one to walk all the way to the superintendent office, situated on Platform 5. This might pose a challenge for PwDs and senior citizens who are unaccompanied.
Obtaining information, both general and train-related, is again beyond the grasp of PwDs. The authorities should consider setting up a ‘May I help you’ booth, available at Central and Egmore to assist passengers, especially those visually challenged.
In a circular issued last year regarding provision of amenities for diffabled persons, the railway board instructed zonal railways to setup ‘May I help you’ booths at all stations. Another evident problem is the absence of engravings on edges of platforms and anti-slippery tiles which might possibly place PwDs in danger.
TMN Deepak, president, December 3 Movement, espousing the cause of differently-abled persons, said, “PwDs are likely to confront life threatening situations here. Authorities, before commissioning the terminal, must ensure all deficiencies are set right.”
When contacted, a station official, on condition of anonymity, said, “The wheelchairs at security booth are broken. We will see if those at the superintendent office could be shifted.” He also admitted that the demand for a passenger enquiry counter was long pending and it was upto divisional railway authorities to do the needful.