After years of remaining locked and largely unused, the pedestrian subway near Tambaram railway station is set for a revamp, with the Tambaram Corporation initiating a major clean-up drive ahead of a proposed ₹4-crore redevelopment project.

The subway, inaugurated in 2018, below the Tambaram flyover to connect GST Road and Velachery Main Road had fallen into disuse owing to poor maintenance, safety concerns and alleged structural issues. Activists and commuters had repeatedly urged authorities to reopen and maintain the facility.

On May 27, Tambaram MLA and Minister for Human Resources Management, D. Sarathkumar, along with the Chengalpattu Collector, inspected the cleaning works being undertaken around the subway under the “Clean & Green Tambaram” programme, and reviewed safety measures.

Tambaram Corporation Commissioner S. Balachandran said the civic body planned to redevelop the eastern side of the subway with food courts and recreational facilities.

“Model designs are ready and the project is likely to be completed in a few months after obtaining the necessary clearances,” he said.

Maintenance concerns

According to a senior Southern Railway official, the subway was handed over to the State government after construction was completed in 2018 and, as per the memorandum of understanding, maintenance responsibility rested with the Corporation.

“Only issues related to electrical works were brought to the notice of the Railways, and those were rectified,” the official said, adding that the Corporation was currently in full control of the facility’s upkeep.

However, uncertainty remains over the ownership and maintenance responsibility of the approach road on the eastern side of the subway.

K. Ramesh, president of the MES Road Ganapathipuram Welfare Association, said commuters did not patronise the subway because of its slightly deviated alignment and alleged structural shortcomings.

“Due to lack of security, school and college students avoided using it,” he said. He added that the subway remained shut for long periods after the COVID-19 pandemic as a precautionary measure.

Anti-social activities

Following protests by residents and activists including members of People’s Awareness Forum, the subway was reopened in 2023 after electrical defects were rectified. However, poor maintenance again led to declining public use.

Residents alleged the neglected premises later became a hub for anti-social activities, drug abuse and other illicit activities.

Prakash, an autorickshaw driver from a nearby stand, said the subway could have attracted more users if the access had been aligned towards Market Road or Shanmugham Road.

“Now, it takes a deviated route and ends in an area with minimal public utility,” he said.

He suggested relocating pavement vendors from Shanmugham Road to the eastern side of the subway to improve activity and security in the area.

Balachandran said the Corporation had requested the Railways to hand over the approach road to facilitate the proposed redevelopment.

“Once the approach road is handed over, it will give impetus to our plans to develop the surroundings into a recreational and food hub that can attract residents both in the mornings and evenings,” he said. Activists, however, stressed that merely reopening or revamping the subway would not be sufficient.

Ramesh said the approach roads should be properly relaid to prevent inundation during rain and dedicated security personnel should be deployed on both the GST Road side and the eastern side to prevent anti-social activities.

“Only then will students from several nearby schools be able to use the subway safely,” he added.