Chennai: Defunct escalator in Chromepet rly station irks seniors, differently-abled
Meanwhile, residents of Chromepet have warned that they would agitate against officials' apathy over restoring the escalator.
CHENNAI: Physically challenged and senior citizens are left in the lurch after an escalator at Chromepet railway station had stopped working two weeks ago.
“The escalator at the western side of the foot overbridge (FOB) connecting Chromepet railway station with GST Road has not been working for last 15 days. Due to this, senior citizens and physically challenged are left to suffer,” V. Santhanam, president, New Colony Residents’ Welfare Association, said.
The escalator had been used by residents of the New Colony, Lakshmip-uram and Shastri Nagar among other neighbouring areas. On any given day, nearly 25,000 to 30,000 commuters are using the foot overbridge, V. Santhanam added.
One of the railway engineers said that the maintenance works on escalators are entrusted to a private contractor. “The private firm has given subcontract to another firm and monetary disputes between two contractors have held up the restoration works,” the official added.
Meanwhile, residents of Chromepet have warned that they would agitate against officials’ apathy over restoring the escalator.