Southern Railway plans safe accessway from Radha Nagar subway to Chromepet station
Residents of Radha Nagar in Chennai may soon have a safer route to the Chromepet railway station, as Southern Railway, in association with the Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA), has proposed a new accessway linking the Radha Nagar subway to the station. The move follows persistent complaints about the absence of a direct and secure passage for commuters.
Chromepet station is a vital hub on the Chennai suburban rail network, catering to a significant number of daily travellers. However, getting to the station from the Radha Nagar side has been fraught with difficulties. The existing subway, though functional, ends about 120 metres away from the platform, leaving commuters with no option but to walk along the railway tracks to reach the station. This practice has been flagged as hazardous by local residents and civic activists alike.
In a statement, the Chennai Division of Southern Railway acknowledged the safety concerns raised in a recent news report and said it had examined the technical feasibility of providing a direct connection. The officials noted that while footpaths exist on both sides of the subway, a direct link to the platforms would require pedestrians to traverse the area between the suburban tracks and the fast line tracks. Such an arrangement, they emphasised, would pose a grave safety risk and would not be operationally sustainable.
During the assessment, Southern Railway also considered the constraints of the railway layout and the need to maintain uninterrupted train services. The proposed accessway has been designed to overcome these challenges by offering a dedicated pedestrian corridor that avoids the active tracks. The details of the design are yet to be made public, but the project is expected to provide safe and convenient entry and exit passages for passengers from the Radha Nagar side.
The matter also reached the Madras High Court, where the railway's technical and safety objections were presented. The court disposed of the petition with a directive to consider the representation in accordance with law. This allows the railway to proceed with its proposal while remaining accountable to judicial oversight.
For residents, the announcement has come as a relief. Many have been demanding a safe pedestrian pathway for years, especially women and elderly commuters who are most vulnerable while walking on the tracks. The new accessway, if implemented as proposed, will eliminate the need for such dangerous shortcuts and improve overall accessibility to the station.
CUMTA, which is responsible for coordinating urban transport projects in Chennai, is expected to support the initiative through necessary clearances and infrastructure integration. The collaboration between the railway and the urban transport body signals a coordinated approach to addressing commuter safety in the metropolitan region.
Railway officials have emphasised that any permanent solution must balance passenger safety with operational efficiency. The new accessway is being planned keeping in mind long-term requirements, including the possibility of future expansion of the station. Engineering teams are likely to conduct further surveys before finalising the alignment of the pathway.
While no timeline has been announced, the project is a significant step forward in resolving a long-pending issue. It also sets a precedent for other suburban stations where similar access problems may exist. Southern Railway's willingness to revisit its earlier stance in response to public feedback and court scrutiny reflects a responsive approach to governance.
As the plan moves towards implementation, stakeholders will be keen to see swift action and clear communication. For now, the residents of Radha Nagar can look forward to a safer and more dignified commute to one of Chennai's busiest railway stations.
