The Union Government has approved ₹895.30 crore worth of infrastructure projects to fortify Kolkata Metro’s operations and reinforce aging railway bridges, as revealed by the Railway Ministry on Saturday. This decision marks a pivotal step in addressing longstanding capacity constraints and safety concerns in India’s rail network.
Leading the pack is a ₹671.72 crore overhaul of the power infrastructure along Kolkata Metro’s North-South Corridor. Key components include the erection of seven advanced traction substations costing ₹291.06 crore, alongside refurbishments of substations from Esplanade to Kavi Subhash.
Elevated sections will see a power boost from 11 kV to 33 kV, enabling trains to run every 2.5 minutes instead of the previous five-minute headway set in the 1980s design. The upgrade promises a surge in ridership and smoother services for millions of daily commuters.
Complementing this, ₹223.58 crore is earmarked for critical repairs in South Eastern Railway’s Adra Division. The spotlight is on Bridge No. 520 over Damodar, where century-old structures from 1903 and 1965 will be entirely rebuilt on both tracks.
As a crucial coal-hauling route between Asansol and Tatanagar, this section’s enhancement will bolster safety, minimize disruptions, and invigorate industrial hubs like Durgapur and Asansol. The projects align with national goals of railway advancement, ensuring robust infrastructure to handle growing freight and passenger loads.
