City Metro to get 13 new AC rakes from China

Metro services in Kolkata will get a major boost as 22 new train services will be available from August 1 this year with the commissioning of the third platform at Tollygunge.

Around 13 additional air-conditioning rakes from China are expected to be commissioned into service from June next year. At present, there are 278 Metro rakes which have been plying between Dum Dum and Tollygunge stations. The number will go up to 300 from August bringing down the 

frequency timing of trains from 8-6 minutes during the busy hours.

The services between Dum Dum and Noapara have been increased from 86 to 98 from Monday to Friday. However, there has been no change in the services on Saturday and Sunday.

With an eye to provide better facilities to the commuters, the Metro Railways have decided to extend WiFi service at 17 Metro stations from Dum Dum to Tollygunge by June 15 this year. Presently, the service is available at Park Street and Maidan stations.

In an important development, the Metro Railways announced that mobile connectivity inside tunnels is expected to be available before Pujas this year. Passengers do not get mobile connectivity after the trains enter into the tunnel. As a result of this, people who commute by Metro on a regular basis were inconvenienced. The news of the introduction of mobile connectivity inside the tunnel brings a relief to the commuters. Many other works relating to the enhancement of passenger amenities are underway.  Automatic fare collection gates will become operational in the Up platform of Park Street station on the Mayo Road from June 15.

A new air-conditioning machine has been installed at Chandni Chowk Metro station for providing comfortable cooling arrangements to the passengers at the station. Around 120 trees have been planted on “Saamanjasya Diwas” in various Metro premises. May 30 was observed as “Saamanjasya Diwas” when all the railway staff colonies were thoroughly inspected for their upkeep and maintenance. It may be mentioned that “Rail Humsafar Saptaah” was being observed from May 26 to June 1. The week long events include special drives on cleanliness, punctuality, catering, ticket checking and passenger interaction. The main purpose of the programme was to lay stress on different passengers’ amenity works and improve railways infrastructure.