Kolkata’s ambitious East-West Metro project is advancing towards its completion goal, targeting a full operational launch by December this year, pending regulatory clearance from the Commission of Railway Safety (CRS). The Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation (KMRC), overseeing the project, anticipates submitting for CRS inspections in October, marking a pivotal step towards integrating the entire 16-kilometre corridor from Howrah Maidan to Salt Lake’s Sector V.
The project has faced significant challenges, notably in the Esplanade-Sealdah section, where subsidence issues necessitated extensive remedial work. This segment, critical for connecting the eastern and western stretches of the metro line, has been undergoing meticulous repairs since an incident in August 2019, when a tunnel boring operation encountered unforeseen aquifers, causing structural damage and subsequent collapses in Bowbazar. The achievements include the commencement of steel liner retrofitting in damaged tunnel sections, a complex operation comparable to similar incidents handled in Singaporean metro projects. International accolades for the project’s engineering feats underscore its uniqueness in global tunnelling history, affirming its technical complexity and the expertise involved. “We are nearing completion of the retrofitting and structural reinforcement, essential steps towards securing CRS approval,” remarked a project engineer, highlighting the meticulous efforts underway to ensure safety and operational readiness. The ongoing works encompass finalizing tunnel segment repairs, advancing egress shaft construction at Bowbazar’s Durga Pituri Lane, and initiating essential electrical and signalling infrastructure installations. These critical tasks are pivotal in preparing the infrastructure for commercial operations and aligning with regulatory standards. Despite earlier projections suggesting a delay until early 2025 for full corridor completion, recent milestones indicate a concerted effort to accelerate timelines, aligning with revised schedules for commissioning the Esplanade-Sealdah stretch by December. This optimistic outlook reflects collaborative efforts between KMRC and project contractors to navigate challenges and adhere to stringent safety protocols.
As Kolkata anticipates the culmination of one of its most transformative infrastructure projects, stakeholders and commuters alike await the final approvals and operational commencement, heralding a new era in urban mobility for the city.
