Over the years, footfalls on the Chennai Beach-Velachery Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) railway network have increased from around 60,000 to 1.1 lakh a day. But once the peak hour rush is over, the stations lay abandoned, the eerie silence broken by the echoing of an empty train leaving an emptier station.Outside, the roads fall dark, keeping commuters off. The giant buildings — designed to accommodate a vibrant commuter community — with their huge hallways and empty spaces ironically act as a deterrent to women who would prefer to take this quick and cheap mode of transport after office-hours.Commuters TOI spoke to at the Kotturpuram , Mandaveli, Greenways Road and Mundagakanniamman Koil stations said as long as the premises were filled with people they felt safe. However, the ill-lit streets leading up to the stations or the dark alleyways evoke fears of stalkers or chain snatchers.A visit to the stations shows that Southern Railway has replaced the dull yellow lights with bright LED lights. However, at Kotturpuram, the rear side of the station is dark: Exiting eastward or westward, there is zero visibility after sunset. It is also used as a public urinal by men.Inside the station there are a few spaces where there are no lights and these are on the corridors where commuters have to buy tickets or near intimidating staircases that commuters take to reach the platform.Outside the station, a huge courtyard is completely dark where tipplers congregate after dark daily. There was a lone Railway Protection Force (RPF) staff at both stations, but on the platform he was not visible. C R Balaji, a social activist and resident of Mandaveli, said railways and state government agencies have to work together to improve the lighting in the vicinity of the stations to make commuters feel safe. “Outside the stations like Tiruvallikeni and Lighthouse, the lighting is poor. Security at all stations has to be beefed up,” he said.Railway officials admit to the shortcomings, but said the stations were not meant to have so many empty spaces. “The plan was to have malls and business establishments inside the station and convert these public spaces into thriving areas much like the metro rail stations in Mumbai and Delhi. But since the patronage is low, contractors are not willing to bid for the spots despite low rates as they would not be able to break even,” an official said.

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