Inauguration of E-W Metro not in sight

Kolkata: The date of inauguration of first phase of East-West Metro is yet to be finalised. Kolkata Metro Railway Chief Public Relations Officer Indrani Banerjee said on Sunday: "The final date of inauguration has not been finalised. We will let you know once it is finalised."

While the first round of trials for Phase-I of the East-West Metro were held from October 15 to October 17, the second round commenced on October 30 and concluded to October 31.

During trial runs, Kolkata Metro Railway officials checked signaling system, alignment of trains at the platform, synchronization of platform screen and other technicalities. They also acted as commuters and bought token from booking counters.

According to sources, the entire trial run was smoothly conducted. There were no hiccups in the entire journey. The first phase of the East-West Metro stretch was conducted on five kilometres between Salt Lake Sector V and Salt Lake Stadium. Officials had made it clear that they wanted everything to be in place. The first phase of the East-West Metro stretch includes Salt Lake Sector V station, Karunamoyee station, Central Park station, City Centre station, Bengal Chemical station and Salt Lake Stadium station.

According to sources, a review report of the trial runs will be prepared. The Kolkata Metro Railway will send it to the Railway Board, an apex body of the Indian Railways. The final date of inauguration will be decided by the Railway Board.

The path of the East-West Metro will be over ground from Salt Lake Sector V till Subhas Sarobar station and after that it will go underground. On the entire stretch, which is around 520 metres of tunneling, has been done underneath river Hooghly. The tunnel boring work stopped as the buildings in the Bowbazar area had developed structural damage following subsidence on August 31. Several houses at Durga Pithuri Lane and Syakra Para Lane had partially or wholly collapsed and cracks had developed in several houses situated at Gour De Lane. More than 600 families were shifted to hotels by the Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation (KMRCL), the implementing agency of East-West metro project.

The residents shifted to their home after receiving the statutory notice issued by the KMRCL that mentioned the site engineers would inspect the premises immediately on return and identify any minor crack that could be visible due to the tunnel boring. In case of any crack, it will be repaired within seven days.