RVNL to consult JU, IIT Kgp over Dum Dum Airport-New Garia stretch

Kolkata: The Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL) is consulting Jadavpur University and IIT Kharagpur for conducting a technical study to clear the impediment in the proposed Dum Dum Airport-New Garia Metro project. The project has stumbled into a barrier on its way for underground work from Kaikhali area on VIP Road to Dum Dum Airport.

The Metro project will entirely go overground along EM Bypass and New Town before going underground on VIP Road near the office of the Airport Authorities of India (AAI).

It is learnt that the AAI has expressed its concerns over underground works for the Metro project as the radio frequency connections of Dum Dum Airport is located at the same place where the digging for the Metro project has to be done. "We have written to RVNL to do a technical study so that our radio frequency cables are not damaged by any means while they do tunneling at that spot," Airport Director Atul Dikshit told Millenium Post.

Sources in the AAI informed that the radio frequency infrastructure underground is extremely crucial because it is through this connection that the pilots keep in contact with the Air Traffic Control (ATC). "We do not want this connection to be jeopardised by any means as it may affect the smooth landing and departure of aircraft," a senior official of Kolkata airport said.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during her tenure as the Railway Minister had laid the foundation stone of this project that covers a distance of 32 km.

The work for the overground part of the Metro project is going on in full swing with RVNL targeting 2019 for completion of the project.

The AAI has also written to the Railway Board and informed them of the entire matter. "We are consulting Jadavpur and IIT Kharagpur's telecom department for a technical study. We are hopeful of sorting matters soon as we do not want to miss the 2019 deadline," a senior RVNL official said.

The state government had earlier taken steps to clear some encroachments in Salt Lake and EM Bypass for smooth work of the Metro project.