Chennai: Southern Railways’ decision to close a secondary access point at Avadi railway station, citing safety concerns, has triggered protests from residents, who are demanding an additional entry and exit from Thirumalairajapuram side to ease congestion at the main entrance.The second access, located about 100metres from the main entrance on the Thirumalairajapuram side, had helped commuters avoid crowding by providing direct access to Platform 1.Commuters said its closure has worsened peak-hour congestion. “Passengers from Kamaraj Nagar and New Military Road now have to walk to the main entrance to board trains. As the ticket counters are also located there, the area gets heavily crowded during peak hours,” said A Tharanitharan, a resident. He added that the railways should consider reopening the access point with safeguards such as a rolling gate to prevent cattle movement.Railway officials, however, defended the move, saying the access point was misused by commuters crossing tracks to reach platforms two and three for trains towards Chennai Central and Chennai Beach. “The risk of accidents is high if people are allowed through the point,” an official said.The official added that the station’s foot overbridge is wider than the standard four metres to accommodate heavy passenger flow. “Providing another foot overbridge is not feasible at present. A comprehensive redevelopment of the station has been planned under subsequent phases of the Amrit Bharat scheme,” he said.
