1st phase E-W Metro to start its operation next month

Kolkata: The first phase East-West Metro is expected to start its operation next month with two rakes running at a gap of around 20 minutes.

According to sources, the fare structure of the first phase of East-West Metro will be Rs 5 for 0-2 km and Rs 10 for 2- 5 km. The trains will run at an interval of 20 minutes.

While the East-West Metro project is being implemented by Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation Limited (KMRCL), the operations of the service will be handled by Kolkata Metro Railway.

The first phase of the East-West Metro stretches across five kilometres between Salt Lake Sector V and Salt Lake Stadium. It includes six stations, namely Salt Lake Sector V, Karunamoyee, Central Park, City Centre, Bengal Chemical and Salt Lake Stadium.

"The date of inauguration of the first phase East-West Metro has not been decided," said an official. 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.

It may be mentioned that the path of the East-West Metro will be over ground from Salt Lake Sector V till Subhas Sarobar station and then will go underground.

In the entire stretch, around 520 metres of tunneling has been done underneath river Hooghly.

The tunnel boring work stopped as the buildings in the Bowbazar had developed structural damage following subsidence on August 31. While several houses at Durga Pithuri Lane and Syakra Para Lane have partially or wholly collapsed, cracks developed in several houses situated at Gour De Lane. More than 600 familes were shifted to hotels by the KMRCL, the implementing agency of East-West Metro project.

While the KMRCL had shortlisted houses that are safe where residents can return, a few of them had already shifted to their home.

The residents shifted to their home after receiving the statutory notice issued by 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.