Kolkata Metro To Add Seven New Substations On Blue Line

01 Dec 2025 CW Team

According to reports, the substations will be located at Kalighat, Netaji Bhawan, Maidan, Esplanade, MG Road, Sovabazar–Sutanuti, and between Belgachia and Shyambazar. Once completed, the Blue Line will have a traction substation at every station, mirroring the configuration of the newer Purple Line (Joka–Majerhat) and Orange Line (Kavi Subhas–Beleghata).

Additional upgrades are under way, with two more substations planned at Chandni Chowk and Geetanjali (Naktala). These are expected to ease bottlenecks, particularly the congestion of rakes between Esplanade and Central stations.

A Kolkata Metro spokesperson said the Chandni Chowk substation would significantly reduce operational delays on this busy stretch.

The network’s tunnel and station cooling systems are also being modernised. Earlier, tunnels were kept cool because trains were non-air-conditioned. With the fleet now fully air-conditioned, the Metro is transitioning to a modern Tunnel Ventilation System (TVS) that supports advanced fire and smoke extraction.

Previously, mechanical ventilation relied on 110 kW centrifugal fans operating round the clock at fourteen midpoint locations, costing around Rs 210 million per year. Energy-efficient upgrades introduced in 2021–22 halved this power consumption. The ageing fans will now be replaced by axial units capable of operating for two hours even at 250°C, with automatic activation triggered by temperature, smoke or CO? levels.

A Japanese subsidiary has been contracted to implement the environmental control upgrades, and engineers have already inspected installations at Jatin Das Park.

The project is expected to significantly strengthen fire safety and reduce carbon emissions by 12,300 metric tonnes annually.

Kolkata Metro is set for a major infrastructure upgrade, with plans to install seven new traction substations along the Blue Line between Dakshineswar and Sahid Khudiram (Birji). The initiative aims to strengthen power supply, improve operational efficiency and enhance passenger comfort on India’s oldest metro corridor. According to reports, the substations will be located at Kalighat, Netaji Bhawan, Maidan, Esplanade, MG Road, Sovabazar–Sutanuti, and between Belgachia and Shyambazar. Once completed, the Blue Line will have a traction substation at every station, mirroring the configuration of the newer Purple Line (Joka–Majerhat) and Orange Line (Kavi Subhas–Beleghata). Additional upgrades are under way, with two more substations planned at Chandni Chowk and Geetanjali (Naktala). These are expected to ease bottlenecks, particularly the congestion of rakes between Esplanade and Central stations. A Kolkata Metro spokesperson said the Chandni Chowk substation would significantly reduce operational delays on this busy stretch. The network’s tunnel and station cooling systems are also being modernised. Earlier, tunnels were kept cool because trains were non-air-conditioned. With the fleet now fully air-conditioned, the Metro is transitioning to a modern Tunnel Ventilation System (TVS) that supports advanced fire and smoke extraction. Previously, mechanical ventilation relied on 110 kW centrifugal fans operating round the clock at fourteen midpoint locations, costing around Rs 210 million per year. Energy-efficient upgrades introduced in 2021–22 halved this power consumption. The ageing fans will now be replaced by axial units capable of operating for two hours even at 250°C, with automatic activation triggered by temperature, smoke or CO? levels. A Japanese subsidiary has been contracted to implement the environmental control upgrades, and engineers have already inspected installations at Jatin Das Park. The project is expected to significantly strengthen fire safety and reduce carbon emissions by 12,300 metric tonnes annually.

Infrastructure Transport

10 Dec 2025

Hejamadi Kodi Harbour Project Records 87% Progress in Karnataka

The Department of Fisheries has reported significant progress on the Hejamadi Kodi fishing harbour development in Udupi district, Karnataka. The project was granted administrative approval in August 2018 for the upgrade of the existing fish landing centre at a total cost of Rs 1.38 billion, with Rs 346.5 million sanctioned as financial assistance under the Sagarmala Scheme. The Department of Fisheries, Government of Karnataka, acting as the implementing agency, has indicated that physical progress stands at 87 per cent, with the project scheduled for completion by March 2026. The upgrade aims..

Infrastructure Transport

10 Dec 2025

India Expands Global Partnerships in Ports and Maritime Logistics

The Government has expanded international engagement across ports, shipping and maritime geo-logistics through collaborations with foreign governments, multilateral institutions and global maritime industry partners. The partnerships span port modernisation, shipping-infrastructure development, digitisation, green-shipping initiatives and maritime skill development. Recent engagements include the India–Russia cooperation on the Northern Sea Route and Eastern Maritime Corridor, training of Indian seafarers in polar waters, the Indo-Danish Centre of Excellence in Green Shipping and the India�..

Building Material

10 Dec 2025

NSL Posts Best-Ever November Output Across Key Steel Units

NMDC Steel (NSL), India’s youngest integrated steel plant, has reported its strongest November performance, marking record achievements across multiple operational units. The company highlighted sustained process stability, improved efficiency and rising capacity utilisation as key drivers of its milestone output. The Raw Material Handling System recorded its highest-ever daily wagon-tippling figure with 616 wagons handled on 21 November 2025, while Base Mix production for the month reached a peak of 5,18,886 tonnes. At the Sinter Plant, NSL set new day and monthly records with 15,590 tonne..