Scared of subways in the dark!

CHENNAI: Proper maintenance coupled with round-the-clock security would encourage more locals to use subways, regular users say.Of the 25 subways constructed in the city over the years, the Chennai Corporation maintains eight and the rest are under the control of the State Highways Department.Many of the subways are maintained properly by both the civic body and the Highways  Department. However, the main reason cited by the public for avoiding using these subways in the city is that there is little or no security. While people use the subways during daytime, they are scared to use them at night. Also, encroachments by small-time vendors at several subways force pedestrians to use roads instead of subways to cross to the other side.Corporation sources claim that  they take regular steps to keep the subways clean and encroachment-free. They add that the the local police has been entrusted with the task of providing security in these places. If the civic body and State Highways maintain the subways properly and provide round-the-clock security at important subways, it could have increased the patronage of people, a regular user near Chennai Central subway said.