Railways wants 43 TASMAC shops moved

Southern Railway has asked the Tamil Nadu government to relocate 43 TASMAC liquor outlets located close to railway stations and tracks in Chennai and neighbouring districts, citing safety concerns, trespassing deaths, accidents and repeated complaints from passengers.The identified shops are spread across Chennai, Tiruvallur, Vellore, Tirupattur, Ranipet and Kanchipuram districts.Southern Railway flags safety concerns near railway tracksAccording to railway sources cited by IANS, the Chennai railway division first wrote to TASMAC in September 2024, followed by another communication in May 2025. After receiving no response, the division raised the matter with the Tamil Nadu chief secretary in July this year.Read more - India’s first LNG-powered train is here: 1,400 HP power cars to replace nearly 40% of diesel use while cutting carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides & particulate emissionsRailway officials have identified outlets near locations including Royapuram, Korukkupet, Perambur, Jolarpet, Villivakkam, Avadi, Ennore, Thiruvalangadu and Nandiambakkam.Officials said people drinking near these outlets sometimes enter railway premises, cross tracks at vulnerable points, travel dangerously on trains or sleep on platforms and inside coaches.Railway stations report passenger complaintsRailway officials have also reported complaints involving harassment of women passengers, disturbances to railway staff, littering, theft and alleged tampering with railway assets, including copper signal wires.Commuter representatives have raised concerns about the situation near stations including Ambattur, Tiruvallur, Avadi and Tambaram Sanatorium.At Ambattur, some customers allegedly carry liquor onto suburban trains and occupy coach floors. At Tiruvallur, the subway has reportedly become a drinking spot, with women passengers said to be reluctant to use it after dark.In Avadi, groups gathering near an outlet on Station Road have reportedly affected access to the railway station, a hospital and a temple.TASMAC says shifting liquor shops is difficultTASMAC officials have said finding suitable alternative premises for the outlets is a challenge. The state-run corporation has considered shifting more than 100 outlets across Tamil Nadu, but several proposed locations faced objections from residents or were found unsuitable.At least seven liquor shops near railway facilities have reportedly been closed or relocated in recent months.717 TASMAC outlets closed near public placesThe Tamil Nadu government recently closed 717 TASMAC outlets located within 500 metres of educational institutions, places of worship and bus stands.However, a TASMAC official said there is currently no specific rule prescribing a minimum distance between liquor shops and railway tracks.The official also said several states were considering guidelines on the issue, citing the presence of more than 17,000 liquor outlets near railway tracks nationwide.Railway seeks clearer rules for liquor shops near tracksA TASMAC workers' association official suggested that the Railway Board approach the courts for directions on suitable rules governing the location of liquor outlets near railway infrastructure.Southern Railway's request comes amid concerns over safety and public order around busy passenger corridors. The railway wants the identified outlets moved away from stations and tracks to reduce the risks associated with people gathering and drinking close to railway premises.Inputs from TOI