Chennai: There was chaos at transit hubs on Sunday, an auspicious day for weddings, as Southern Railway suspended suburban prepare companies for upkeep work and security assessments on the fourth line between Chennai Egmore and Chennai Seashore. Many, particularly these arriving from different districts, have been stranded till 4.30 p.m.
Restricted suburban companies have been obtainable on restricted sections, with Kodambakkam-Tambaram trains operating at 30-minute intervals and Tambaram-Chengalpet trains at 60-minute intervals. This was insufficient to deal with the heavy rush at Tambaram and Chengalpet, non permanent boarding and arrival factors for long-distance trains like Pallavan and Vaigai Categorical.
Moreover, native trains on Chennai-Gummidipoondi-Gudur part have been suspended for almost six hours within the morning, with just a few passenger trains working.
Whereas MTC and metro rail elevated companies, roads remained congested. Tambaram junction, typically chaotic throughout prepare cancellations, was significantly tough to navigate, with fewer site visitors police personnel on obligation. Bus conductors needed to step in to control site visitors. “Southern Railway cancels companies for upkeep on the final minute. It does not even place notices at station entry factors or make correct bulletins. Commuters climb staircases solely to seek out no trains operating,” mentioned T Sadagopan, a resident-activist from Pattabiram.
Auto and cab drivers cashed in, with a journey from Tambaram to the the airport metro station costing 350-400.
The fourth line’s security check included a high-speed trial run on the 4.3 km-long monitor between Egmore and Seashore. The road, anticipated to open this week, will accommodate items trains, lowering congestion on present three tracks.
