As railways shifts to high speed trains, jaywalkers a concern

On September 15, Southern Railway operated a three-coach train at 140kmph between Chennai and Arakkonam as part of trials to find out if the tracks are fit for semi-high speed trains. The trial was a success. But what was shocking was people flitting across tracks at some of the busy suburban stations as the train rushed in. That too in spite of railways deploying its staff to warn people not to cross the tracks.

With Vande Bharat trains of 130-180kmph going to be introduced from Chennai in a year or so, Southern Railway is improving tracks, signalling facilities and other elements to increase the speed of express trains. This infrastructure upgrade will most likely inconvenience hundreds of people who use suburban trains on three suburban routes – Tiruvallur, Chengalpet and Gummidipoondi. The railways should close level crossings, but people will struggle to access stations if this is done without building subways or over-bridges. Though subway and road overbridge work is yet to be completed, railways have closed a few level crossings on Chennai-Tiruvallur route.