Association pleads with railways to open entrance to new station building in Nagapattinam

The entrance of Nagapattinam Railway Station old building for larger vehicles remains blocked due to ongoing overbridge construction work.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Activists have urged Southern Railway to open the entrance of the newly constructed railway station building in Nagapattinam as the existing eastern entrance has been rendered inaccessible because of the ongoing construction of the overbridge between Nagapattinam and Akkaraipettai.

The newly built station facility, located on the western side of the old railway station —opposite the Nagapattinam Town Police Station — has neared completion after two years of construction at an estimated cost of ₹4 crore. However, access to the new building remains blocked as walls have been recently erected in front of the entrance.

The eastern entrance, which served passengers for over a century since the station opened in 1861, is now shut due to the construction work. This has left passengers, particularly senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and those with health concerns, facing serious difficulties in reaching the platforms.

In a letter to the Divisional Railway Manager of Southern Railway’s Tiruchi Division, the Nagai District Consumer Protection and Passenger Association has appealed for immediate opening of the western entrance to ensure smooth access for passengers during the construction period.

“It is crucial to open the entrance facing the new building without delay to ensure passengers are not put through undue hardship,” said G. Aravind Kumar, Secretary of the Association.

Sources in the Railways said they would look into the issue and take action.