Citizen Connect: Missing wall between road and rly track at Pallavaram becomes death trap to motorists

The road which runs along the railway track, which is at least two metres below the road level, has no wall between them. In the absence of adequate lighting, the danger could go unnoticed and a fall could be fatal for anyone who is passing by.

People from the area said that it has been a long-standing problem as neither railway authorities nor roadway department is taking any action.

“We have lodged several complaints with both the Railways and roadway department. No action has been taken so far,” K Murali, a resident of Zamin Pallavaram, said.

Murali said a cyclist almost fell on the track a couple of weeks ago. “He managed to escape with the help of some passers-by. He was lucky to have people around him. This won’t be the case always, especially in the night,” he added.

An official at the railway station said that there is a proposal to construct a compound wall next to the track. “It will be done soon,” he added.

According to the railway official, the work is expected to start before next month. However, another resident, V Prabakaran, near the railway station, said that Railway officials have been claiming to start the work soon for a while now but it never did.

He also pointed out the wall has to be constructed along half a kilometre stretch. “The officials should start the work before the monsoon. Otherwise, the work will be delayed for another six months,” he said.

An official from the Pallavaram municipality said that the construction work will commence soon. “We have already contacted Railway officials to solve the issue immediately. We have also requested for a temporary arrangement to avoid any accidents till the construction starts,”he added.

The official said that they are planning to install extra street lights along the road, too. “It will be done as soon as we get the approvals,”he added.

S Gomathi, a street vendor, said: “A few officials, do not know from which department, came and inspected the site a few weeks ago.” She said a few vendors had also requested the officials to speed up the work.