Kolkata Metro projects affected by significant funding shifts

22 Aug 2024 CW Team

The Union Budget for the current financial year has had varying effects on Kolkata?s on-going metro projects. While funding for two projects has been reduced, one project has seen a significant increase compared to the previous year.

Overall, the allocation for Kolkata Metro projects has risen by Rs 300 million in comparison to the previous financial year.

The Dumdum Airport-Kavi Subhash (New Garia) via Rajarhat Metro project has received the largest allocation. According to a statement issued by Metro Railway, Rs 1 7.91 billion have been allocated for this line, marking a significant increase from the Rs 12 billion allocated the previous year.

Currently, commercial services are operational from Kavi Subhash to Hemanta Mukhopadhyay on this line. Metro officials expect that the stretch from Hemanta Mukhopadhyay to Beleghata will commence soon, as the Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety has already conducted an inspection of this section.

In contrast, the Noapara-Barasat and Joka-Esplanade metro projects have faced significant budget cuts. The Noapara-Barasat via Bimanbandar Metro corridor has been allocated Rs 2 billion this year, a sharp decrease from the Rs 6.2 billion allocated the previous year. Similarly, the Joka-Esplanade Metro Project has been allocated Rs 12.08 billion in the current fiscal, down from the Rs 13.50 billion allocated in the 2023-2024 Budget.

The Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety has already inspected the Noapara to Dumdum Cantonment stretch of the Noapara-Barasat corridor, and metro services on this stretch are expected to start soon. Additionally, commercial services from Joka to Majerhat have already begun on the Joka-Esplanade corridor, with ongoing construction to extend services beyond Majerhat.

Furthermore, necessary funds have been allocated for the final segment of the tunneling work of the East-West Metro between Esplanade and Sealdah, which spans 800 metres.

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