The Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) has completed the topographical survey for a critical 1.6-kilometre extension of Kolkata Metro’s Purple Line, connecting Esplanade to Eden Gardens. This strategic infrastructure development, following special clearance from the Raj Bhavan, marks a significant leap in enhancing urban mobility and intermodal connectivity. The project is poised to foster eco-friendly transit, reduce the city’s carbon footprint, and ensure more equitable access to key business and public areas, aligning with Kolkata’s vision for a sustainable and inclusive urban future.
The proposed extension will feature a new underground station at Eden Gardens, strategically positioned opposite Gate No. 1. This crucial addition will provide direct and convenient access to nearby office zones, government buildings, and major public areas, including BBD Bagh and Babughat. For thousands of daily commuters, this means significantly reduced travel times and enhanced convenience, directly contributing to a better quality of life and improved productivity within the city’s bustling economic core.
From an engineering perspective, the project demonstrates a commitment to efficient resource utilisation. RVNL plans to redeploy the tunnel boring machines (TBMs) ‘Durga’ and ‘Divya’, currently engaged in the Victoria Memorial–Park Street tunnelling, for the Esplanade–Eden Gardens alignment. This reuse of advanced machinery minimises new procurement needs and streamlines the construction process. Furthermore, the decision to use the cut-and-cover method for the Park Street to Esplanade stretch, owing to minimal surface encroachments, reflects a pragmatic approach to construction that aims to reduce disruption and environmental impact.
The operationalisation of the Eden Gardens station will significantly boost interchange connectivity at Esplanade, allowing seamless transfers between the Purple Line and the existing East-West (Green Line) and North-South (Blue Line) corridors. This integrated network will facilitate smoother and faster travel across South Kolkata, the Central Business District, and the northern and eastern sections of the city. Such comprehensive metro expansion is fundamental to promoting sustainable urbanisation by encouraging a widespread shift from private vehicles to mass rapid transit, thereby reducing traffic congestion and vehicular emissions.
Parallel to this northern extension, the Purple Line is also undergoing a southward extension of 1.2 kilometres from Joka to IIM-Calcutta. These twin projects collectively aim to integrate broader commuter belts into Kolkata’s metro network, ensuring that residents from diverse areas have equitable access to efficient public transport. By investing in resilient and expansive metro infrastructure, Kolkata is not only modernising its transport backbone but also laying the groundwork for a zero net carbon, gender-neutral city where accessible and eco-friendly mobility solutions drive economic prosperity and enhance the overall well-being of its citizens.
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