Kolkata Clears Eco-Sensitive Metro Link From Esplanade To Eden Gardens
Kolkata has approved a crucial 1.6 km underground extension of the Metro’s Purple Line from Esplanade to Eden Gardens, with survey work now complete after receiving clearance from Raj Bhavan. This planned metro corridor, routed near the Governor House gardens, is expected to serve key civic zones like BBD Bagh, Babughat, and the Calcutta High Court, while offering seamless interchange access for sports enthusiasts near Eden Gardens. Officials say the project could significantly ease traffic pressure and promote public transport usage in the city’s densely built heritage core.
Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), the agency executing the Purple Line, has finalised the topographical survey needed to determine the alignment through this sensitive and heavily used stretch. Rarely do such transport projects require Raj Bhavan’s consent, but given that the metro will skirt the edge of its gardens, special permission was sought. The tunnel route will strategically curve past the existing Green Line near Esplanade and cross into the Raj Bhavan zone before surfacing opposite Eden Gardens’ Gate 1, where a new underground station is planned. This route design ensures minimal disruption to existing buildings while maximising underground efficiency. The tunnel will be built using the same two tunnel boring machines (TBMs), Durga and Divya, which are currently working on the Victoria Memorial–Kidderpore section.
The 640-metre Park Street–Esplanade route will use the trench-based cut-and-cover method due to the absence of above-ground obstructions. In contrast, the 1.6 km Esplanade–Eden Gardens segment will use tunnel boring technology to preserve the historical and ecological integrity of the surrounding area. Officials say that this extension is key to unlocking better access to Kolkata’s historic and legal precincts, particularly for daily office-goers in Strand Road, High Court staff, and commuters from suburban rail and ferry terminals at Babughat. With the station near Eden Gardens, even sports fans attending matches will be able to connect directly to the North–South (Blue) corridor via the Esplanade interchange. The original plan had proposed a long pedestrian subway, but the underground station model now approved is expected to be faster and more sustainable. Planners emphasise that this project is being designed with minimal land acquisition and maximum integration with existing infrastructure.
This new stretch not only enhances East-West and North-South connectivity but also represents a step towards climate-resilient and people-friendly urban transport. The corridor’s alignment avoids residential dislocation, overhead demolitions, or ecological compromise, making it a model for urban metro projects in dense and historically sensitive Indian cities. If implemented on schedule and without bureaucratic delays, it could serve as a benchmark for low-emission, high-efficiency metro expansions across the country. As Kolkata continues its push for sustainable mobility, this Purple Line extension exemplifies how metro infrastructure can be sensitively woven into the fabric of older cities.
