Kolkata: In a significant development for the city’s metro network, the East-West Metro services will be halted for eight days in two separate phases, beginning today. This temporary closure is set to impact thousands of daily commuters who rely on the metro for seamless connectivity.
Metro Services to be Halted in Key Sections
Metro services will be suspended on the Howrah Maidan to Dharmatala and Sealdah to Sector Five routes, two of the busiest stretches of the East-West corridor. The temporary shutdown, scheduled from Thursday to Sunday this week and again from Thursday to Sunday next week, is part of crucial construction efforts to integrate the Bowbazar section into the Green Line.
Long-Awaited Connectivity to Take Shape
The Bowbazar region has been a significant challenge for the metro project, causing disruptions and financial losses to residents and businesses. However, this move is seen as a final push to resolve long-standing technical concerns. The main tunnel construction is reportedly complete, with only signaling and other essential works pending. Metro authorities aim to complete the project in time to launch full-fledged services from Howrah Maidan to Sector 5 within the first half of the year.
Daily Commuters to Face Major Setbacks
With key business and transit hubs such as Dharmatala, Sealdah, and Sector Five being affected, the temporary closure is expected to cause significant inconvenience for office-goers and daily passengers. Both Howrah and Sealdah railway stations serve as crucial entry points for thousands of commuters, making this metro suspension a major disruption to the city’s transport system.
Trial Runs and Final Testing Underway
A month ago, metro authorities conducted a successful trial run of the metro rake through the affected Bowbazar area. On January 21, a metro rake, traveling at a controlled speed, completed a test run from Sealdah to Esplanade in just 11 minutes. The trial phase has continued across the entire corridor, even during nighttime, to ensure operational stability.
As Kolkata inches closer to the completion of its ambitious East-West Metro project, authorities are now racing against time to put the finishing touches on the Green Line’s infrastructure. While temporary inconvenience looms over daily passengers, the city is poised to benefit from a faster and more efficient metro network in the near future.
Stay tuned for more updates on Kolkata’s metro expansion and the latest commuter advisories.
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