Kolkata Metro Faces One-Hour Snag, Services Hit On Blue Line
Metro services on Kolkata’s north-south corridor (Blue Line) were halted for over an hour on Saturday afternoon due to an underground tunnel snag. The disruption, between JD Park and Netaji Bhavan, impacted thousands of weekend commuters, prompting truncated services and delays. Authorities cited a “civil engineering issue” while promising deeper inspections post-service hours to identify and address the root cause.
The disruption started shortly after 3:30 pm and persisted till 4:40 pm, suspending operations between Maidan and Tollygunge stations. In response, truncated services were operated between Dakshineswar and Maidan on the north side, and Tollygunge to New Garia on the south. A preliminary inspection permitted trains to resume on the affected stretch after a temporary clearance, pending further post-service structural reviews by engineering departments.
Commuters faced delays and uncertainty as public announcements provided limited updates. Stranded passengers at Park Street and Tollygunge stations complained of long wait times and inadequate information. Many opted for alternative transport, including buses and app cabs, often at significant extra cost. The lack of clarity from the public address system added to the frustration, especially as weekend travellers navigated sudden route changes and rescheduling.
While the impact might have been worse on a weekday, the disruption still caused chaos for weekend commuters. Passengers travelling to and from South Kolkata reported crowding and confusion as they scrambled to replan journeys. Some spent up to 30 minutes waiting for updates. The limited service interval on either side of the blocked stretch created bottlenecks, putting additional strain on station staff and signalling systems.
Experts noted that the north-south corridor, India’s oldest metro stretch, built in the 1980s, requires continuous upkeep. A consulting agency has already been engaged to study ways to overhaul the tunnel and civil infrastructure between Tollygunge and Dum Dum. As the metro system ages, such incidents raise concerns about long-term durability and the need for more frequent inspections and transparent communication with passengers.
The brief but disruptive glitch on Kolkata’s Blue Line underscores the need for urgent infrastructure upgrades and real-time commuter information. As metro usage grows, both daily and weekend services demand more resilience and communication support. The proposed tunnel overhaul study could be key to avoiding future breakdowns and ensuring smoother operations on the city’s vital north-south transit spine.
