The Kolkata Metro Railway on Tuesday confirmed that the commissioning of a vital power substation near the Masterda Surya Sen station in Bansdroni is being delayed due to encroachment of railway land. The substation is essential to ensure an uninterrupted electricity supply for the North–South corridor of the city’s metro network.

Metro Railway General Manager P Uday Kumar Reddy, accompanied by senior officials, inspected the station and adjoining areas to assess the ongoing issue. A Metro Railway spokesperson stated that the railway land outside gate number 2 of the station has been illegally converted into a bus stand by unauthorised operators.

“Repeated efforts to reclaim the land have been thwarted by local influential individuals, preventing Metro authorities from setting up the substation," the spokesperson said.

During the inspection, GM Reddy visited the platform, concourse, and surrounding areas, instructing Metro officials to take appropriate steps to free the encroached land in the public interest.

Kolkata Municipal Corporation Ward 100 councillor Prosenjit Das acknowledged the issue, saying discussions are ongoing to reach an amicable solution. Meanwhile, a private bus operator defended the encroachment, citing a shortage of formal parking spaces.

A senior police official added that dialogue has commenced between Metro authorities and local stakeholders to remove the encroachments and relocate the bus stand to an alternative site.

The commissioning delay has raised concerns over potential service disruptions and highlights the growing challenge of infrastructure development in densely populated urban areas like southern Kolkata.