CHENNAI: The construction of a subway near Korattur railway station, which has been moving at a snail’s pace, is now inundated with water after rains – a problem that is likely to add to the delay in completion, according to railway sources.
The level crossing (LC-4) at Korattur, which was closed in 2013, to be replaced by a subway, was adding to the plight of commuters who were taking long detours since the closure just to cover a distance of 100 meters.
Now, post the monsoons, water has flooded the construction site stagnating and adding to the woes of residents. Work was halted for a while before railway staff again carried out soil tests at the site, raising suspicion among residents.
“For the past three years, we have to take a detour of 12kms totally to go to a place and come back. School kids reach to school late, women and office-goers - all are affected,” said J Srinivasan, a resident of Korattur.
He added that though the work started over three years back, the progress has been painfully slow – barely 20 per cent. “We thought the subway would ease our travel but for the past three years, it has just added to our hassles,” he added.
“School kids and other cycle riders have to lift their cycles and cross the railway track. We need to know when this project is going to be completed,” said another resident.
Two months ago, a senior railway official told Deccan Chronicle that latest by March 2017, the work would be finished as the progress is fast but with January approaching and work progress very slow, residents are irked at the extension and delay of the subway construction.
A senior engineer with the Southern Railway declined to comment on the status of the project.
The divisional railway manager (DRM), however, assured that though it will add to a certain more extension from the expected completion period, but fast progress will be ensured.
“Concerns regarding water logging and water table have come to light, work on which is being carried out and I am personally supervising the same. With the structure of subway getting submerged, we are currently working to tackle the situation and bringing the progress back on track,” the DRM, Anupam Sharma told DC.
