Work on track for highly anticipated link on Kolkata Metro’s East-West corridor

Work on track for highly anticipated link on Kolkata Metro’s East-West corridor

Officials of Kolkata Metro Railway have announced a halt in operations along the East-West corridor (Green Line) for the second time this month, between February 20 and February 23, for operational trials on the highly anticipated connection between Esplanade and Sealdah stations.

Currently, the Green Line runs between two separate stretches: Salt Lake Sector V and Sealdah (9.4 km), and Esplanade to Howrah Maidan (4.8 km). 

However, the two-kilometre stretch on the Green Line between Sealdah and Esplanade, which will connect the prime commercial areas of Bidhannagar and Howrah, was significantly delayed due to soil subsidence and water leakage issues in the Bowbazar area. Nonetheless, the track-laying work in the West-bound tunnel in Bowbazar was concluded in December 2024.

According to Metro Railway officials, the tunnelling work to link Esplanade and Sealdah stations is now complete, and trials are being conducted in two phases. During these two 4-day blocks, operations along both stretches of the Green Line will remain closed. 

“Tests are being conducted on platform screen-door synchronisation, signalling systems, and communication-based train control (CBTC) systems to ensure seamless train operations and reduced room for human error,” Metro Railway officials told The Hindu.

The initial phase of trials concluded on February 16 and the second phase of trials will start on February 20. However, officials could not confirm when the Sealdah-Esplanade connection would be ready for operations.

Officials also announced the installation of a new Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at the Central sub-station of the Blue Line to increase passenger safety in case of a power cut or grid failure.