Residents flag lack of basic amenities at Putlur railway station

In recent years, the Putlur railway station has gained popularity. The railway station had remained in the shadow of the Tiruvallur railway station, which is also the district headquarters, but has now become an important station with  the presence of the Sidco Industrial Estate at Kakkalur and the Angalaparameshwari temple at Putlur. 

However, commuters complained of minimum passenger amenities available in the Putlur railway station and want the Southern Railway to improve the amenities.

The Tiruvallur railway station is one of the important stations on the western section with several mail and express trains having been given halts there. Raghavendra Bhat Kadekar, a long time resident of Putlur, pointed out that the railway station is in need of several amenities including the renovation of the foot over bridge,  installation of an automated ticket vending machine, construction of public conveniences and opening of a security outpost.

The Putlur railway station lacks basic amenities such as platform shelters and shelter for foot over bridge. The commuters lament the hardships faced by them due to the absence of a regular ticketing mechanism.

The tickets from this railway station are pre-printed at the Tiruvallur railway station in limited numbers and tickets to certain destinations are unavailable causing hardships to commuters.

M. Vigneshwar, a traveller from Andhra Pradesh, said a large number of pilgrims visit the temples located in the vicinity of the railway station and they face hardships during night time as they halt in the railway station itself. It would be helpful if a shelter is provided in the railway station to help the commuters during the rainy season.

A senior official of the Chennai division of Southern Railway said as per the railway norms the railway station does not have the required footfall for appointing a regular ticketing staff.

The official said a subway has been sanctioned for Putlur Railway Station and a feasibility study for a lift has been received and proposal will be submitted soon.

Renovation of the Divyangjan toilet is under progress and drinking water facilities are functional the railway official added.