In a bid to ensure better maintenance, Chennai Metro Rail has built washrooms in the paid area in the Poonamallee - Porur stretch of the phase II project.
Paid area is the space beyond the ticketing gate and a passenger with a valid ticket alone will be able to access the washrooms in the concourse level after crossing these gates.
In the 54-km phase I project, washrooms were constructed in the paid area in many stations, in some of the underground stations, it was built in the unpaid area. After coming down the stairs or escalator, anyone can access the washrooms if it is in the unpaid area.
According to officials of Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL), in the washrooms built in the unpaid area, the staff are facing a host of issues.
“Those who are not passengers are using the washrooms in the unpaid area. This was not an issue for us. But the problems began to arise when people started using the washrooms to bathe. Some were stealing faucets and damaging the toiletries,” said an official. Cleanliness also has become an issue in these stations, which include Chennai Central, Thousand Lights, Anna Nagar Tower, Anna Nagar East, Government Estate, Koyambedu, Thirumangalam, and High Court.
