Kolkata Metro’s Orange Line has moved closer to passenger service on its extension to Sector V after charging of the third rail began on the 10-km stretch between Beleghata and Sector V stations. Trial runs are scheduled to begin from October 10, coinciding with Mahalaya, according to railway sources.
A Metro Railway official said the third rail would now receive continuous power. Earlier, the power supply was switched on temporarily for inspections and then withdrawn. With the rail now live, officials warned people not to approach it.
Unlike conventional railway rakes, which draw electricity from overhead cables through a pantograph, Metro Railway trains on the Orange Line use a third rail current collector to obtain traction power. The charging marks a key technical step before train movements and system testing can begin on the extension.
The Orange Line, also known as the Kavi Subhas–Airport corridor, is currently operational over a 9-km stretch between Kavi Subhas and Beleghata. The extension to Sector V will take the operational corridor beyond 15 km and add three stations: Gour Kishore Ghosh, Nalban and Sector V.
The Sector V extension is the third phase of the Orange Line. The first phase reached Ruby crossing and the second phase extended services to Beleghata. Once trial runs begin, officials will conduct checks of the communication-based train control system, or CBTC, which is used to manage train movements and maintain operational safety.
A central government official said inspection by the Commissioner of Railway Safety would follow the trial run. Passenger services on the extension can begin only after the CRS grants approval. The official process therefore still includes train testing, signalling checks and statutory safety inspection before the line can carry commuters.
Railway sources cited by the Times of India said a commercial run could be targeted around Christmas, potentially providing metro access to visitors travelling towards Nicco Park during the festive period. The sources also said the next phase, from Sector V to City Centre II, is planned for December 2027, while the final phase of the corridor is targeted for completion by mid-2028.
