The destination they sought has been long in the coming — they felt the way someone travelling on the trans-Siberian train route probably would. This comparison is in fact ridiculous: unlike the one holding a ticket on a trans-Siberian train journey, they were never certain about reaching their destination.

And now, twenty-three years on, they are seeing the hazy outlines of the “destination”, which is close to the Chepauk railway station. It is really an objective (and not a destination) and there are encouraging signs that it could be met, finally.

Residents of Chetpet have been seeking a safe passageway under the Dr. Gurusamy ROB (Rail Over Bridge) for decades, from one side of Chetpet to another as this would enable residents, particularly children of five schools, to reach the Chetpet railway station safely without having to cross the ROB.

On July 19, 2025, the solution avidly sought for well over two decades seemed to resonate with the powers that be. Dr. Gurusamy ROB comes under the bridges division of Greater Chennai Corporation.

GCC Commissioner J. Kumaragurubaran, accompanied by Egmore MLA I. Paranthamen and engineers from the Bridge Division of GCC, visited the site and studied the problem. Photos: Special Arrangement 

Kripa Sagar Janardhanan, who has been in the vanguard of the effort by Chetpet residents to have this safe passageway, reports what transpired on the day at Dr. Gurusamy ROB. “J. Kumargurubaran, Commissioner of GCC accompanied by Egmore MLA I. Paranthamen and engineers from the Bridge division of GCC visited the site and studied the problem. As per discussion it is understood that GCC is likely to insert prefabricated concrete boxes having about 12 feet height by pushing them inside the ROB to make a walkway as they have done similar works elsewhere,” says Kripa Sagar.

Based on the discussion with engineers of GCC’s Bridge Division, Kripa Sagar notes that as the columns between which the passageway is expected to be created are a safe distance away from tracks, an NOC from Southern Railway might not be required; and even if it were required, it could be obtained.

Kripa Sagar observes that when a safe passageway under the ROB is facilitated, the event would signal a return to the past. He offers a peek into a history, which also includes residents’ battle to recover what was lost.

“The pathway beneath Dr. Gursamy ROB which connected the South West and South East of the ROB, enabled the residents, students and teachers of five educational institutions and office goers to reach the Chetpet Railway station safely with ease. In 2002, Southern Railway extended their shunting line over the Path way to shunt their long length trains depriving the public their comfortable and safe access to the railway station.

Since then MCC School and the local residents have been making efforts to get safe access. Various proposals were made but nothing materialised. Construction work by CMRL at Chetpet Metro and diversion of traffic from Harrington Road by the traffic police only piled on the misery as they had to take a long circuitous route to reach the Chetpet railway station. In response to efforts taken by the MCC School and the local residents, Egmore MLA I. Paranthamen took up the issue with the Commissioner of GCC. If this passageway comes up, the problem pending since 2002 will end.”