Chennai: Every day, more than 10,000 commuters use the Nungambakkam railway station, but many of them are left frustrated due to poor basic facilities. Toilets are often locked, and the only lift at the station frequently breaks down, forcing senior citizens and persons with disabilities to use the stairs.To use the toilet, passengers must track down the on-duty platform inspector to get the key. However, commuters say no clear information is provided about the key’s location. While a new toilet for persons with disabilities has been built near the entrance of the station, the toilet always remains locked.M Dayanand, a regular commuter, said, “the infrastructure was planned very poorly with no ramps built for disabled people. Even if a ramp is added now, it will be too steep to use.”The washroom in the railway station premises is often used as a hub for tipplers to consume alcohol and for illegal activities, especially post 7pm. “I have raised many complaints to the RPF in the station, but no actions have been taken so far,” Dayanand added.Civic activist S Jayapaul said, “the problems do not end there. Most toilets in the suburban stations are in poor condition. Broken taps, leaking flushes, no water, poor lighting, and unclean washbasins are common complaints. The problem persists in stations like Park, Guindy, and Saidapet too, where the washrooms are either locked or left in a horrible state.”“I avoid water before my commute so that I do not have to use the station toilet,” said S Ranjana, a regular commuter.“There’s one elevator in the railway station which is used by at least 1,000 people who come to the station, mostly people aged above 45 and disabled people. Whenever the elevator breaks down, it takes at least 2-3 working days for the officials to fix it. This happens at least twice a month.” Last year, 10 people got stuck in the elevator and were rescued by the fire department, Ranjana added.Despite several attempts made to reach railway officials, they did respond.
