Esplanade-Sealdah Metro To Be Operational Soon
Kolkata’s long-awaited Metro service on the Esplanade-Sealdah stretch is finally set to launch. After overcoming numerous challenges, including tunnel collapses and water seepage, the Green Line will soon offer a faster, more efficient travel option for commuters.
Well, it looks like the wait is nearly over for Calcutta’s Metro enthusiasts! After what seems like an eternity of delays and a fair bit of head-scratching, the Esplanade-Sealdah stretch of the Metro is all set to commence operations. Yes, you read that right—the green line is ready to roll, and all that’s left now is for us to wait with bated breath.
This Sunday, the Railway Safety Commission finally gave its stamp of approval, granting the much-needed clearance for the project. Now, all eyes are on the final countdown. Metro authorities have released a statement confirming that the green light has been given, with just a little bit of patience required before the trains begin to run.
The Railway Safety Commission (CRS) Commissioner, Sumit Singhal, took a look around on Sunday to inspect the Green Line’s completed work. A thorough inspection was carried out on everything from the tunnels to the airflow systems, from the trains to emergency procedures. If it was a game of “Spot the Problem,” the Commissioner would have been the champion—no stone left unturned. Singhal was accompanied by Anuj Mittal, Managing Director of the Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation (KMRCL), and a handful of other officials. Their verdict? All systems go, and the authorities are thrilled with the outcome. If everything continues to run smoothly, the services on this section could be up and running before you know it.
But hold your horses—there’s more. Once this part is up and running, Metro authorities have plans to extend the services, with the aim of connecting Salt Lake Sector Five to Howrah Maidan, covering a staggering 16.55 kilometres. It’s safe to say that the wheels of progress are finally turning, albeit a little late.
Now, let’s take a moment to reflect on the winding journey of this much-anticipated stretch. The service between Howrah Maidan and Sealdah has been up and running for a while now, but the Esplanade to Sealdah tunnel was a bit of a sticky wicket for some time. The reason? Two tunnels were to be constructed beneath the earth, and while one, the eastward-facing tunnel towards Sealdah, was completed some time ago, the westward-facing tunnel encountered a bit of a hiccup. In 2019, the boring machine hit a rather large bump in the road, quite literally, as a collapse occurred near Bowbazar. Work had to be halted immediately. And if that wasn’t enough, in 2022, during further excavations, water seeped into the tunnels, halting progress yet again. It was like a never-ending game of “Catch Me If You Can” with the tunnel. Yet, after months of setbacks, the work is finally nearing its completion.
In January this year, after all the trials and tribulations, the Metro ran its first trial run over a stretch of more than two and a half kilometres, from Sealdah to Esplanade. The buzz in the city was palpable, and it seemed like the metro was finally ready to take its rightful place in Calcutta’s transport system.
So, dear Calcuttans, it’s almost time to say goodbye to those traffic jams and hello to swift travel on the Green Line. Here’s hoping the service runs as smoothly as a well-oiled machine (or at least as well as we can expect in this city)!
If all goes according to plan, you might be zipping from Esplanade to Sealdah quicker than you can say, “Is it really happening?” Time to keep an eye on the stations and get ready to ride the Metro—because it seems like this time, they really mean it.
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