Train-platform gap yet to be rectified at Adambakkam

Southern Railway is waiting for clearance from the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) for rectifying the gap between the train and the platform at the newly constructed Adambakkam station in the extended portion of the Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS).

The MRTS extension project from Velachery to St. Thomas Mount was cleared and new services to Beach were launched in March 14 this year. However, these trains have not been permitted to stop at Adambakkam station because of safety concerns flagged by the Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety (CCRS) Janak Kumar Garg.

After inspecting Puzhithivakkam and Adambakkam stations on the extension line, the CCRS gave clearance for commercial operation of MRTS services, while prescribing speed restrictions and disallowing stoppages at Adambakkam station. A senior official of Southern Railway said a software simulation has determined the changes that could be made to the platform at Adambakkam to rectify the gap between the train and the platform, caused by a sharp curve, which could be unsafe for passengers while boarding and alighting.

These simulations were submitted to theCommissioner of Railway Safety (CRS), Southern Circle, Bengaluru, who directed that the results be sent to the RDSO for scrutiny and comments. The Southern Railway officials are awaiting the RDSO’s response.

Social activist V. Rama Rao urged railway officials to speed up the rectification work at Adambakkam station, as hundreds of commuters from Nanganallur are forced to go to Puzhuthivakkam to use the MRTS services.