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Kolkata Metro Set For Big Upgrade As Railways Clears ₹895 Crore Push

Kolkata Metro Set For Big Upgrade As Railways Clears ₹895 Crore Push

Newstrack 3 days ago

Indian Railways has approved projects worth ₹895.30 crore to improve Kolkata Metro services and rebuild an old railway bridge in the Adra division.

The biggest part of the investment will strengthen the North-South Corridor of Kolkata Metro, helping trains run faster and more frequently. Officials say the upgrades will improve passenger convenience, rail safety, and operational efficiency across important routes.

Metro Services To Become Faster

A major share of the approved amount, around ₹671.72 crore, will be used for Kolkata Metro's North-South Corridor upgrade. This route is one of the busiest metro lines in the city and handles lakhs of passengers daily.

Railway officials said the metro system was originally built during the 1980s. At that time, trains were designed to operate with a five-minute gap between services.

Now, after the new upgrade work is completed, the gap between metro trains may reduce to just 2.5 minutes. That means passengers could get trains much faster during peak office hours.

For daily commuters in Kolkata, this may bring huge relief from crowding and long waiting times.

What Will Change In The Metro System

The project includes construction of seven new traction substations. Around ₹291 crore has been approved for this work alone.

Apart from that, the existing electrical system from Esplanade to Kavi Subhash will also be upgraded. Officials plan to improve the old 11 KV system into a stronger 33 KV system.

This technical improvement is important because modern metro services require stronger and more reliable power systems to support higher train frequency.

Railways believe the upgraded infrastructure will help Kolkata Metro handle rising passenger demand smoothly over the coming years.

Adra Bridge Project Also Approved

Another important part of the approval is the ₹223.58 crore bridge redevelopment project in Adra division under South Eastern Railway.

The project includes reconstruction work for Bridge No. 520 UP and 520 DN between the Madhukunda and Damodar railway section.

Officials said the current bridge structures are very old. One section was built in 1965 while another dates back to 1903. Over time, signs of structural weakness have appeared, making redevelopment necessary for safety reasons.

The project will also include track work and yard remodelling.

Important Route For Freight Movement

This railway section is not just important for passenger trains. It also plays a big role in freight transport and coal movement.

The route connects major industrial regions like Asansol and Tatanagar. It supports movement linked to steel plants, thermal power stations, and manufacturing industries.

Officials believe the upgraded bridge and rail infrastructure will improve operational reliability and reduce future risks on this important freight corridor.

Industries in the Durgapur-Asansol belt are also expected to benefit from smoother railway connectivity.

Indian Railways Expanding Rapidly

The latest approval reflects Indian Railways' larger focus on modernization and capacity expansion. In recent years, the government has increased spending on metro systems, freight corridors, high-speed rail projects, and railway safety upgrades.

With passenger numbers growing steadily in cities like Kolkata, metro systems are becoming more important every year.

At the same time, older railway structures across India are also being rebuilt to improve safety and support faster movement of goods.

Experts say projects like these may help Indian Railways prepare better for future demand while improving travel comfort for millions of passengers.

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