Officials revive Baranagar-Barrackpore metro project after a decade
During a meeting held at the KMC headquarters, Mayor Firhad Hakim expressed his strong interest in advancing the project. A previous suggestion to realign the project along the Kalyani Expressway was deemed unfeasible. Mayor Hakim has urged RVNL to conduct a fresh survey of the route, specifically focusing on the construction of viaducts and identifying suitable locations for crucial water pipelines along the centre of BT Road. The plan involves relocating existing pipelines, with the possibility of laying new ones and scrapping the current ones after redirecting water supply.
The critical water pipelines in question include six major underground pipes responsible for supplying water from Palta to Tala. This water supply infrastructure caters to the drinking water needs of 70% of Kolkata's population. One of these pipelines, measuring 72 inches in diameter, serves residents in the north, central, and a portion of south Kolkata. A KMC official stated that upon receiving the RVNL report, a comprehensive survey will be conducted to determine whether certain pipelines should be abandoned, new ones laid, or if relocation is necessary.
A Metro official disclosed that RVNL has been instructed to conduct a survey of the 5 km alignment between the proposed Krishnakoli, Acharya Prafulla Chandra, and Gandhi Ashram stations.