Commuter inconvenience: Round-the-clock RPF security helps reduce crimes at Ennore station

It is a mixed bag for passengers who frequent the railway station at Ennore: some of the basic facilities are in place for their convenience, while there are still other essential facilities that the authorities need to put in place immediately. The station is used by more than 1,000 passengers every day.

One of the biggest grouse for the commuters is the poor frequency of trains from the station. Also, though washrooms have been built separately for men and women inside the station premise, they remain locked all through the day, rendering it useless for the public. There are no drinking water facilities in the station, complained passengers, adding that they are forced to throw waste and litter the station as there are no garbagebins either.

The crime rate in and around the station has come down as it is monitored by the Railway Police Force (RPF) throughout the day. But women commuters still feel unsafe to stay for a longer period waiting for trains. “We have to wait for at least 30 to 40 minutes for trains. And during the rainy season, we are forced to wait for more than an hour. There won’t be any announcement in case of delay in the trains,” said Subha Lakshmi M, a passenger from Mannadi. She added that though the bus depot is nearby, the bus frequency reduces after 10 pm. “After that, it is not safe for us to travel by bus,” she added.

The station does not have any ramps for differently-abled passengers, who have to struggle to get to the platforms using stairs. Much to the relief of the commuters, both platforms have roofs that offer cover during summer and monsoon.

What helps the passengers is the close proximity of bus depot and autorickshaw stand. “At other suburban stations, we have to walk at least for a kilometre to take the bus. But here it takes only five minutes by walk to reach the bus depot. There are frequent buses to Broadway, where we can reach within 30 minutes,” said Vigneshwaran K, a passenger from Royapuram.

The announcement system is functional, informing the passengers about the arrival and departure of trains. There is also parking space available for two-wheelers. The RPF personnel are deployed here in three shifts, which has helped bring down crime rate. Passengers added that the officials are quick to respond to complaints of thefts and other crimes. “Earlier, at least three to four mobile and chain snatchings would be recorded here. So we have deployed personnel on three shifts a day. After this, the crimes have drastically come down when compared to other suburban stations nearby. If the passengers complain of any theft in the station, immediate steps will be taken,” said an RPF official.

When asked about the locked toilets, a railway official told DT Next that their construction was completed recently. Soon, they will be opened for the passengers. If passengers approach us with complaints or highlight difficulties they are facing at the station, we will take immediate steps to address them,” the official added.