Chennai Gate

The area around Egmore Railway Station is never actually quiet. We are located at New No 37 & 39 on Gandhi Irwin Road, which is right across from the station entrance. If you’ve ever been to this part of Chennai, you know it’s just a constant stream of people with suitcases and bags. The noise from the trains and the buses outside is something you just get used to after a week of working here. I remember when we first moved into these buildings, Old No 17 and 18. It felt like a lot of space, but now with all the stuff we have, it feels just right. We start early because the trains don’t wait for anyone. The morning air is usually thick with exhaust from the taxis lined up on the road. We spend a lot of time just keeping the place tidy because the dust from the street is relentless. It’s a bit of a grind, honestly. We aren't trying to be anything we’re not. We just provide a place for people who are coming or going from the station. The staff usually takes turns eating their lunch in the back while the afternoon rush slows down for a minute. Gandhi Irwin Road has seen a lot of changes over the years, but we’re still here, doing the same thing every day. It's a lot of work to keep up with the station crowd, but we manage it okay. Most people are in a hurry.