CHENNAI: Lack of facilities at the railway station constructed to benefit students of DRBCCC Hindu College in the western suburb of Pattabiram has become an issue of concern.

The station does not have a foot over bridge and students and residents put their lives to risk by crossing the railway track. With the development of areas around the college the station now has more users since it was established in 1982.

K.Vasudevan, a regular commuter, says apart from suburban trains, several express trains to Tirupati, Coimbatore and Bombay pass through the station every 15 minutes. Due to the absence of a foot over bridge, people are compelled tocross the track to board and alight the trains. Commuters complain that though the bridge was sanctioned three years ago, work is yet to begin.

Chief coordinator of the Thandurai Pattabiram Consumer Council T. Sadagopan, says the station serves areas, including Modern city, Bharathiar Nagar, Sekkadu and Rajeev Gandhi Nagar. Besides the employees of Food Corporation of India, about 20,000 residents of Pattabiram cross the track to reach the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board billing counter.

Residents also complained that only one-way tickets could be obtained from the ticket counter of the station, as it was under a franchisee.

Principal of Hindu College M.Rajendra Naidu, says about 2,000 students travel to other stations to obtain concession tickets as the ticket counter at the station do not provide them.

He wanted the Railways to take over the booking counter. Railway officials said tenders had been called for the construction of the bridge.

The takeover of booking office would be considered.

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