The Ministry of Railways announced the approval of infrastructure and capacity augmentation projects worth Rs 895.30 crore by the Union government. Among these projects, Rs 671.72 crore will be allocated to upgrade the power supply system of the North–South Corridor of Kolkata Metro Railway. This includes the provision of seven new traction substations and the enhancement of auxiliary and traction substations between Esplanade and Kavi Subhash.
The upgrade project also involves increasing the power system from 11 kV to 33 kV in specific elevated sections of the Kolkata Metro system. Originally built in the 1980s to support train operations at five-minute intervals, the corridor will see a significant improvement in capacity and service frequency, operating at a reduced headway of 2.5 minutes after the proposed enhancements.
Furthermore, a separate project worth Rs 223.58 crore has been sanctioned to strengthen bridge infrastructure in the Adra division under South Eastern Railway. This project includes the construction of substructure for ‘Bridge No. 520’ on both up and down lines between Madhukunda and Damodar, along with associated yard remodelling and track works. The existing Damodar bridge, constructed in 1903 and 1965 for down and up lines respectively, requires reconstruction of its foundation and substructure due to significant aging.
The Adra division section is a crucial part of a major freight corridor connecting Asansol and Tatanagar, serving as a vital coal route with high traffic density. The project is expected to enhance safety, reliability, and operational efficiency, while also supporting industrial activities in the Durgapur–Asansol belt. These initiatives reflect the government’s broader strategy to modernize, improve safety, and expand capacity to meet the increasing transport demand.
