Suburban Railway Parking Woes: Safety Concerns Amid Contract Lapses

Commuters at Chennai’s suburban railway stations face mounting vehicle thefts due to the absence of parking contractors, particularly at busy stations like Thiruvanmiyur, Kasturba Nagar, and Kotturpuram. With contracts expired and no new tenders awarded, security measures like CCTV cameras are often non-functional.

Consumer activists highlight similar issues at other key stations, including Avadi and Pattabiram. The Southern Railway has 119 parking lots, but only 74 have active contractors, leaving many vehicles vulnerable. The need for interim safety measures during contract renewals is crucial to protect commuters’ vehicles and ensure safe parking facilities.