South Railway Urges Tamil Nadu Government to Relocate 43 Liquor Shops Near Tracks

Chennai, September 27 (Daily Kiran) : South Railway has formally requested the Tamil Nadu government to relocate 43 TASMAC liquor shops situated near railway stations and tracks in Chennai and surrounding districts. This appeal comes in response to a series of accidents and fatalities attributed to unauthorized activities near the tracks, alongside numerous complaints from passengers.

TASMAC, a government-owned entity, holds a monopoly over the wholesale and retail liquor trade in the state. Railway officials first raised concerns in letters sent to the state-operated liquor retailer in September 2024 and again in May 2025. Following a lack of response, the issue was escalated to the Chief Secretary in July this year.

The identified outlets are located in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Vellore, Tiruppattur, Ranipet, and Kanchipuram districts. Railway authorities highlighted specific areas such as Royapuram, Korukkupet, Perambur, Jolarpet, Villivakkam, Avadi, Ennore, Tiruvallangadu, and Nandiambakkam.

Officials noted that individuals consuming alcohol near these shops often trespass onto railway property, cross tracks in dangerous areas, and travel inappropriately on trains or sleep inside coaches and on platforms. Complaints have also surfaced regarding harassment of female passengers, disturbances to railway staff, littering, theft, and tampering with railway equipment, including copper signal wires.

Passenger representatives reported that stations like Ambattur, Tiruvallur, Avadi, and Tambaram Sanatorium have become problematic due to the presence of these liquor shops. In Ambattur, some customers reportedly board local trains with alcohol and sit on the floors of the coaches.

Reports indicate that the Tiruvallur subway has turned into a drinking spot, discouraging women from using it after dark. Additionally, crowds near an outlet on Station Road in Avadi have caused difficulties for commuters heading to nearby hospitals and temples.

TASMAC officials acknowledged the challenge of finding alternative locations for these shops. The corporation has considered relocating over 100 outlets in Tamil Nadu, but many proposed sites faced local opposition or were deemed unsuitable.

In recent months, at least seven shops near railway establishments have either closed or been relocated. The Tamil Nadu government recently shut down 717 TASMAC outlets within a 500-meter radius of educational institutions, places of worship, and bus stands.

A TASMAC official stated that there are currently no specific regulations regarding the distance between liquor shops and railway tracks. However, many states are contemplating guidelines, as over 17,000 liquor shops across the country are located near railway tracks. A representative from the TASMAC employees’ union suggested that the Railway Board should seek court directives regarding appropriate regulations. The railway aims to reduce risks around busy passenger corridors by relocating these outlets.