Federation urges railways to restore separate signalling system in Thoothukudi
Residents and activists in Thoothukudi are protesting against a new common signalling system at local railway gates, which they claim causes unnecessary traffic congestion. They are demanding a return to the previous separate signalling system to improve local mobility.
Why it matters
Local infrastructure management often creates friction between operational efficiency for railways and the daily convenience of urban residents.
Members of the Thoothukudi People’s Welfare Federation staged a protest in front of the Thoothukudi Railway Station on Thursday, urging the authorities to restore the separate signalling system at the railway gates to prevent unnecessary and frequent closure of the second gate in the city.
As the railway line divides Thoothukudi city into two parts, four railway level crossings have been developed for the public movement across the tracks. Of these, only the third railway gate has a railway overbridge. The remaining three level crossings are closed whenever trains pass, resulting in severe traffic congestion.
The first and second railway gates are used daily by thousands of commuters, school students, traders and emergency vehicles. Earlier, these two gates operated under separate signalling systems. However, they have now been brought under a common signalling system.
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