Metro Railway network expansion traverses point of inflection – says Arun Arora GM/Metro Railway. He has informed about commencement of commercial operations of Joka-Taratala stretch of Joka Esplanade Metro project.
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- Further, He has also expressed his satisfaction over commissioning of a total 14.23 kms within first 9 months of 2022-23 which is the highest ever Metro expansion within any single financial year since its inception. Out of this 14.23 kms, 2.33 kms from Phoolbagan to Sealdah of East-West Metro (Green Line) have already been commissioned on 11.07.2022 much to the delight of the residents of the City of Joy.
- Another 6.5 kms Metro route from Joka to Taratala of Joka — Esplanade Metro Project (Purple line) is going to be commissioned very soon. Mandatory clearance from the Commissioner of Railways Safety (CRS) has already been obtained with some observations.
- Preparations are going on in full swing to start commercial operations on this stretch after complying with all that stipulations. Initially ‘One Train Only System’ will commence on this stretch for the benefit of the commuters. Six stations, i.e., Joka, Thakurpukur, Sakherbazar, Behala Chowrasta, Behala Bazar and Taratala along with Joka Depot are ready.
- In Joka — Esplanade Purple Line, a total length of 9.2 km viaduct completed from ramp of Joka Depot to the start of Majerhat station. 110 UTS HH rails have been used in this prestigious project which is indigenously built for the first time in our country.
- Four lifts, each having a carrying capacity of 13 passengers, 7 escalators, 8 staircases are provided at each of the six standout stations. Various other passenger amenities like PA System, signages, benches, AFC Gates and ATVMs are being installed at platforms. State of the art fire detection, suppression systems and fire hydrants are provided in the entire stretch of this 6.5 km stretch.
- A whopping total of Rs. 2477.25 cores expenditure by IR has been incurred to accomplish this Central Govt funded project, out of which Rs. 635 crores have been spent to set up a state of the art Metro Car Depot at Joka which is spread over a vast area of 25.449 HA.
- In addition, the first phase of Kavi Subhash -Airport Metro Project (Orange Line) from Kavi Subhash to Hemanta Mukhopadhyay, over a stretch of 5.4 kms, is also likely to be inaugurated very soon. This line once fully commissioned will touch two satellite townships of Kolkata Salt Lake and New Town.
- In the first phase there will be five stations, i.e. Kavi Subahsh, Satyajit Ray, Jyotirindra Nandi, Kavi Sukanta and Hemanta Mukhopadhyay. Very soon CRS inspection will take place on this route and commercial operations are likely to start by December 2022, New Year gift to Kolkata citizens, stated Arun Arora, GM Metro.
Source: Kolkata Metro- Press Release | Images Credit: Kolkata Metro
