Kolkata Metro’s Howrah Sealdah Historic Expansion
The Kolkata Metro, India’s first metro rail system, is set to achieve another milestone by connecting two historic cities, Howrah and Sealdah, via the Esplanade corridor. Once operational, this connectivity will significantly reduce travel time and provide seamless transit between these bustling areas. However, this monumental step comes with temporary disruptions.
Request for suspension submitted
The Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation (KMRC) has requested Metro Railway to approve the suspension from 11 pm on January 29 to 5 am on February 3. Sources indicate that a decision on extended service suspensions will depend on passenger feedback. Additionally, KMRC has proposed a 45-day suspension from February 8 to March 24 to complete essential technical upgrades necessary for the Howrah-Sealdah direct metro connectivity.
Book fair visitors may face inconvenience
The proposed closure coincides with the Kolkata International Book Fair, which begins on January 28 at Salt Lake’s Central Park. Many visitors depend on the metro to attend the event. The Publishers and Booksellers Guild, organizers of the fair, have expressed concerns. Guild president Tridib Chatterjee said, “We were going to request Metro to increase frequency.” The Guild plans to formally urge Metro Railway to defer the tests until after the fair ends on February 9.
Tests crucial for signal integration
Metro Railway is evaluating a larger 45-day closure to install a unified Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) signaling system across the 16.6 km corridor. The CBTC system will integrate the currently separate sections of the Green Line, enabling smooth communication between rakes and enhancing passenger safety and operational efficiency. The first phase of testing occurred on weekends with no Sunday service on the Green Line 2 (Esplanade-Howrah Maidan). Green Line 1 (Sector V-Sealdah) remained unaffected.
Advanced systems require elaborate trials
The East-West Metro is nearing completion, with civil works between Esplanade and Sealdah almost finished. The corridor uses CBTC signaling, an advanced system requiring extensive trials for seamless operation. Currently, two separate CBTC systems manage different sections. The missing 2.5 km link has faced delays due to cave-ins since 2019.
Trials planned
KMRC plans to use two six-car BEML rakes for dynamic trials. These tests will involve varying train speeds and assessments of sub-systems, platform screen doors, and telecom integration. Additional performance-proving tests will ensure readiness for full operation.The decision on the proposed shutdown is awaited, balancing the need for critical tests with minimizing inconvenience to passengers.
