Chennai, 15 December (H.S.) : The slow pace of the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS) redevelopment works in the Chennai division has become a source of daily distress for thousands of rail commuters.
Intended to usher in world-class amenities such as wider platforms, expanded parking, and modern information systems, the project, which adopted 17 key stations, has significantly missed its original deadline, leaving 15 stations in various stages of sluggish development.
Work commenced in August 2023, and despite initial promises of swift transformation, only St Thomas Mount and Sulurupetta stations have been fully operational since May, with Chennai Park station reportedly nearing inauguration.
The civic impact is most visible at crucial transit points like Mambalam, where construction materials and wafting dust congest platforms, forcing passengers to navigate numerous obstructions. Compounding the delays, some recently installed infrastructure is already defective, with shelter roofs leaking during rain, soaking seating areas, while other sections still lack complete shelter frames.
Commuters and rail activists have voiced strong criticism regarding the lack of accountability. Naina Masilamani, President of the Arakkonam Rail Passengers Association, pointed out that works are now one-point-five years past the estimated completion time.
He highlighted the irony of installed lifts at Arakkonam station remaining locked, unusable until a formal inauguration, suggesting another five months of inconvenience. Rail activist Dayanand Krishnan demanded a proper monitoring system, noting the significant expenditure and the need for the public to be informed about completion times.
Responding to the criticism, a senior Southern Railway official defended the progress, stating the project is an unparalleled logistical puzzle. The official explained that the work is being executed in a fully operational railway environment amidst dense urban areas and high passenger footfall, making the maintenance of uninterrupted train services a critical constraint.
Despite these challenges, the official stated that the Chennai division has achieved substantial physical progress, with several stations having crossed seventy to eighty percent completion, ensuring no train services were cancelled during the process.
The overall scheme covers seventy-seven stations across Tamil Nadu with an investment exceeding four thousand one hundred crore rupees, and officials maintain that the finished stations will significantly enhance the travel experience.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Dr. R. B. Chaudhary
