Chennai: Passengers in the chennai suburban rail network have expressed strong dissatisfaction over non-functional wallet PLATFORM' target='_blank' title='digital-Latest Updates, Photos, Videos are a click away, CLICK NOW">digital display boards installed at 48 suburban railway stations under the Southern Railway chennai Division.

The modern wallet PLATFORM' target='_blank' title='digital-Latest Updates, Photos, Videos are a click away, CLICK NOW">digital announcement boards were installed at a cost of several crores of rupees with the aim of providing real-time train information, including arrival and departure timings, platform numbers, and service updates. However, commuters allege that despite the significant expenditure, many of these boards remain either completely non-functional or display inaccurate and outdated information.

Daily passengers, who depend heavily on the suburban railway system for commuting between the city and its outskirts, say the malfunctioning displays have caused considerable inconvenience. During peak hours, when trains run at short intervals and platforms are crowded, the absence of reliable wallet PLATFORM' target='_blank' title='digital-Latest Updates, Photos, Videos are a click away, CLICK NOW">digital information leaves passengers confused and scrambling for announcements.

Several commuters claim that in many stations, the screens are either blank, frozen, or switched off for extended periods. In some cases, they reportedly flash irrelevant or incomplete data. As a result, passengers are forced to rely solely on public address announcements, which are sometimes unclear due to noise and overcrowding.

Railway activists and commuter associations have criticized what they describe as poor planning and lack of maintenance. They argue that installing advanced infrastructure without ensuring proper upkeep defeats the purpose of modernization. The issue has sparked calls for a technical audit and immediate corrective measures to restore functionality.

Officials from Southern Railway have acknowledged that certain technical glitches and maintenance challenges have affected operations in some stations and have reportedly assured that steps are being taken to rectify the problems.

The chennai suburban railway network serves lakhs of passengers every day and is a lifeline for office-goers, students, and daily wage earners. Commuters stress that effective and reliable passenger information systems are essential for safe and efficient travel. They have urged railway authorities to take swift action to ensure that public funds spent on modernization projects translate into real benefits for passengers.

 

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