Kolkata Metro extends services to tackle extra commuter rush

Kolkata: With buses not being allowed to run on Talla Bridge, Kolkata Metro Railway has decided to extend its services to cater to the rush of daily commuters from Monday.

"Metro Railway will run 10 additional services from Noapara from November 4. 121 services (61 Up and 60 Down) will be run instead of 111 services which are presently run on weekdays," said Kolkata Metro Railway chief public relations officer Indrani Banerjee.

However, services on Saturdays and Sundays to and from Noapara will remain unchanged. The 288 services (144 Up and 144 Down) on weekdays from Kavi Subhash to Dum Dum will also remain unaltered.

"These additional services will provide immense relief to the people of North Kolkata in general and Noapara in particular, in view of the transport problem on account of traffic restriction on Talla Bridge," Banerjee pointed out.

Talla Bridge, the prime gateway for vehicles entering Kolkata from North 24-Parganas, was closed for buses and mini-buses from September 25, after it was declared as 'unfit' for plying of heavy vehicles.

Meanwhile, Kolkata Metro Railway services were disrupted after sparks were noticed in a non-AC rake at Maidan Metro station on Friday.

According to eyewitnesses at the station, sparks were noticed in the rake when the Kavi Subhash-bound train had just entered Maidan.

According to sources, the incident took place at 7.52 pm. The passengers were subsequently asked to vacate the train. However, Normal services resumed soon at 8.13 pm.