3 days ago
Southern Railway Seeks Relocation of 43 TASMAC Outlets
Southern Railway wants 43 liquor shops moved away from railway stations and tracks.
Officials say people drinking near the shops sometimes enter railway property or cross tracks dangerously.
Some people reportedly sleep on platforms, disturb staff or cause problems for passengers.
Railway officials also reported harassment, littering, theft and damage to railway equipment.
Passengers have raised concerns at stations including Ambattur, Tiruvallur, Avadi and Tambaram Sanatorium.
TASMAC says it is hard to find new places for the shops.
At least seven shops near railway facilities have already been closed or moved.
Tamil Nadu recently closed 717 TASMAC outlets near schools, religious places and bus stands.
There is currently no specific rule about how far liquor shops must be from railway tracks.
Southern Railway has asked Tamil Nadu to relocate 43 TASMAC outlets near railway stations and tracks.
The railway cited trespassing deaths, accidents, passenger complaints, harassment, littering, theft and asset tampering.
The outlets are spread across Chennai, Tiruvallur, Vellore, Tirupattur, Ranipet and Kanchipuram districts.
Railway officials first contacted TASMAC in September 2024 and May 2025 before escalating the request to the chief secretary in July.
TASMAC says replacement sites are difficult to find, while at least seven nearby outlets have recently been closed or moved.
- Who
- Southern Railway, TASMAC and the Tamil Nadu government are involved.
- What
- Southern Railway has requested the relocation of 43 TASMAC liquor outlets near railway stations and tracks.
- Where
- The identified outlets are in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Vellore, Tirupattur, Ranipet and Kanchipuram districts.
- When
- The railway sent requests in September 2024 and May 2025, then escalated the matter in July.
- Why
- The railway says the outlets contribute to trespassing risks, accidents, passenger nuisance and possible damage to railway property.
Railway Safety Concerns
Relocation Challenges
Moving the outlets
Railway Safety Concerns
Southern Railway wants 43 outlets shifted to reduce risks around busy passenger corridors and address complaints about accidents, trespassing and nuisance.
Relocation Challenges
TASMAC officials say finding suitable replacement premises is difficult because proposed sites have faced residents’ objections or proved unsuitable.
Need for rules
Railway Safety Concerns
Railway officials are seeking action to keep liquor outlets away from railway facilities and reduce risks to passengers and railway property.
Relocation Challenges
A TASMAC official said there is no specific rule on the distance between liquor shops and railway tracks, while a workers’ association suggested that the Railway Board seek court directions on suitable rules.
Key facts
- Outlets targeted
- 43 TASMAC outlets near stations and railway tracks
- Districts identified
- Chennai, Tiruvallur, Vellore, Tirupattur, Ranipet and Kanchipuram
- Railway requests
- Letters were sent in September 2024 and May 2025
- Escalation
- The issue was taken to the Tamil Nadu chief secretary in July
- Recent closures or relocations
- At least seven shops near railway facilities have been closed or moved
- Other recent closures
- 717 TASMAC outlets within 500 metres of educational institutions, places of worship and bus stands were closed
- Policy gap
- A TASMAC official said there is no specific rule governing the distance between liquor shops and railway tracks
Sources
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