Readers Write: deadly ‘gaps’ at Guindy railway station

P. Sathyanarayanan points out that recently, at Guindy railway terminal, an alert Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel pulled a senior citizen to safety after the latter had fallen into the gap between the train and the platform. The train dragged him for a few metres. This shows that the Mainline Electrical Multiple Units (MEMU) should not be operated on suburban train tracks.

The Mainline Electrical Multiple Units (MEMU) should not be operated on suburban train tracks.

The platforms are constructed in such a way that there was are huge gaps between the entry/exit area of the MEMU and the platform. 

The platforms at St. Thomas Mount railway station are similarly dangerous. Commuters have to watch their steps while entraining and detraining the electric train at the terminal and at the station. 

In addition, the trains halt at the station for only 30 seconds. The trains should halt at the station for more than a minute. The train should not move until the station master and the railway staff raise and wave the green flag. Railway staff should be deployed at strategic locations on the platform.

P. Sathyanarayanan is a veteran social activist and a long-time resident of Guindy