Indian Railways Approves Rs 8,953 mn Metro Power And Bridge Projects

06 May 2026 CW Team

Works totalling Rs 6,717.2 mn have been sanctioned for strengthening the North-South Corridor of Kolkata Metro Railway with seven new Traction Substations costing Rs 2,910.6 mn. The programme also covers augmentation and upgradation of Auxiliary Substation and Traction Substation systems from Esplanade to Kavi Subhash and enhancement of the existing eleven kV system to thirty three kV at a cost of Rs 3,806.6 mn. The upgrades are designed to enable operations at a two point five minute headway compared with the original five minute design and to address equipment capacity limits and spare parts shortages.

A separate project of Rs 2,235.8 mn has been approved for reconstruction of Bridge Number 520 UP and 520 DN between the Madhukunda and Damodar section, including substructure works, yard remodelling and approach track improvements under the South Eastern Railway. The existing Damodar bridge, with the up line built in 1965 and the down line dating to 1903, shows structural distress and requires foundation and substructure reconstruction. The section links Asansol and Tatanagar, forms part of a dedicated freight corridor feeder and coal corridor, and carries a high traffic density of 67 GMT.

The redevelopment is expected to support major industries in the Durgapur-Asansol belt, including the IISCO plant, the ACC plant and nearby thermal power units by improving rail connectivity and reducing logistics constraints. The combined investments are presented as part of a broader modernisation effort to enhance operational efficiency, passenger experience and freight reliability. Indian Railways will continue to invest in robust infrastructure to meet growing transportation demand while ensuring safety and future readiness.

Indian Railways has approved projects worth Rs 8,953 mn to upgrade power systems and rebuild bridge infrastructure, covering metro traction works in Kolkata and reconstruction on a key Damodar river link. The approvals are intended to strengthen safety and expand capacity across passenger and freight corridors, and to improve reliability of power supply and track structures. Works totalling Rs 6,717.2 mn have been sanctioned for strengthening the North-South Corridor of Kolkata Metro Railway with seven new Traction Substations costing Rs 2,910.6 mn. The programme also covers augmentation and upgradation of Auxiliary Substation and Traction Substation systems from Esplanade to Kavi Subhash and enhancement of the existing eleven kV system to thirty three kV at a cost of Rs 3,806.6 mn. The upgrades are designed to enable operations at a two point five minute headway compared with the original five minute design and to address equipment capacity limits and spare parts shortages. A separate project of Rs 2,235.8 mn has been approved for reconstruction of Bridge Number 520 UP and 520 DN between the Madhukunda and Damodar section, including substructure works, yard remodelling and approach track improvements under the South Eastern Railway. The existing Damodar bridge, with the up line built in 1965 and the down line dating to 1903, shows structural distress and requires foundation and substructure reconstruction. The section links Asansol and Tatanagar, forms part of a dedicated freight corridor feeder and coal corridor, and carries a high traffic density of 67 GMT. The redevelopment is expected to support major industries in the Durgapur-Asansol belt, including the IISCO plant, the ACC plant and nearby thermal power units by improving rail connectivity and reducing logistics constraints. The combined investments are presented as part of a broader modernisation effort to enhance operational efficiency, passenger experience and freight reliability. Indian Railways will continue to invest in robust infrastructure to meet growing transportation demand while ensuring safety and future readiness.

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