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.

Real Estate

24 Dec 2025

Modon, Related, Panepinto form JV for Harborside 4 in Jersey City

Abu Dhabi-based Modon Holding PSC has formed a joint venture with US real estate major Related Companies and Jersey City-based Panepinto Properties to develop Harborside 4, a 54-storey luxury residential tower on a prime waterfront site in downtown Jersey City, New Jersey.Under the partnership, Modon will hold a majority equity stake alongside Related and Panepinto, marking another step in the group’s strategy to scale and diversify its global real estate portfolio. The project will be developed on one of the last remaining premium waterfront parcels in the city.Designed by Handel Architects..

Infrastructure Urban

24 Dec 2025

P+Ex and Post-Tensioning Institute partner to drive sustainability

P+Ex, the Center of Excellence for Concrete Preservation and Service Life Extension, has announced a strategic partnership with the Post-Tensioning Institute (PTI) aimed at advancing sustainability, durability, and resilience in the built environment.The collaboration brings together P+Ex’s expertise in concrete preservation, repair, and service life extension with PTI’s global leadership in post-tensioning technology. Through this alliance, the two organisations will work to advance best practices in durability-focused design for new structures, while also promoting effective repair, reha..

Infrastructure Energy

24 Dec 2025

India’s Largest 2,000 MW Subansiri Hydro Project Turns Operational

India’s largest hydropower project, the 2,000 MW Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project, has finally become operational with the commissioning of its first unit, marking a major milestone after nearly 20 years of development marked by delays, protests and cost escalation.The 250 MW Unit-2 of the project, located on the Subansiri River at Gerukamukh on the Assam–Arunachal Pradesh border, was virtually inaugurated from New Delhi by Union Minister of Power Manohar Lal Khattar. The event was attended by Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary (Power), and Bhupender Gupta, Chairman and Managing Director, Nati..