HC gives go ahead for Joka-BBD Bag Metro construction work

Kolkata: Calcutta High Court on Friday directed the RVNL to start the Joka-BBD Bag Metro construction work in the Maidan area.

Earlier, the Rail Vikas Nigam Limited or RVNL, the executing agency of the project, in its plea, had stated that the construction work of the Joka–BBD Bag Metro has been delayed because it awaits clearance from the Army. The court then had given time to the Army to cite reasons for the delay in clearance to the said Metro project.

A Division Bench, comprising Chief Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Justice Rajarshi Bharadwaj, during the hearing on Friday, was apprised by the Army that there is no objection to the Joka-BBD Bag Metro project up to Dharamtalla.

The court directed that the project work should start after getting the approval of the state government.

The state government will shift the Maidan market elsewhere for Metro work and alternative places have also been identified. It is learned that there is no problem in moving the tram line for this project.

The entire stretch from Joka to BBD Bag of 16.72 km was sanctioned at an anticipated cost of Rs 2619.02 crore in 2010-11.

The project was conceived by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in 2010 when she was the Railway minister.

It is known that RVNL has already completed construction of six stations in the 9 km stretch from Joka to Taratala that includes Joka, Thakurpukur, Sakherbazar, Behala Chowrasta, Behala Bazar and Taratala stations.

The rest of the underground stretch will have five stations – Kidderpore, Victoria, Park Street, Esplanade and BBD Bag. The land, identified between Victoria Memorial and Maidan area, will be used to build the underground stations and out-gates.