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The Kolkata Metro has announced that metro services on the East-West corridor will be completely suspended on March 8 and 9 due to important testing of the Communication-based Train Control (CBTC) system. This testing is necessary to check the efficiency of the signalling and communication system between Howrah Maidan and Salt Lake Sector 5.
This is the third suspension of services in the last month, as metro authorities continue to ensure the system is fully reliable. Earlier service disruptions happened between February 13 and 16 and again from February 20 to 23. These tests are part of the metro's plan to begin full operations on the East-West corridor, also known as the Green Line, later this year.
Changes in Metro Timings
Passengers should take note of changes in metro timings due to the testing. On March 7, the last metro from Sealdah to Salt Lake Sector 5 will leave at 7:03 pm instead of the usual 9:35 pm. The last return train from Sector 5 to Sealdah will depart at 7:05 pm. The last trains from Esplanade and Howrah Maidan will leave at 7:00 pm instead of 9:45 pm.
Service disruptions will also continue on March 10, as the metro will start later than usual in the morning on the Sealdah-Sector 5 and Esplanade-Howrah Maidan routes.
Challenges Faced by the East-West Metro
The East-West metro corridor has faced many difficulties, mainly due to a tunnel collapse in Bowbazar in September 2019. The accident happened when a boring machine hit an underground water source, causing water to enter the tunnel. There were at least two more similar incidents in later years. Due to these problems, metro services could not start on a 2.5 km-long stretch between Esplanade and Sealdah. Currently, the 16.6 km-long corridor operates in two separate sections.
The CBTC system is an advanced technology that allows metro trains to run safely and efficiently. The successful completion of these tests is crucial for the Kolkata Metro's expansion. These efforts aim to improve public transport in the city by making metro services faster, safer, and more reliable.
By conducting these tests, Kolkata Metro Rail is preparing to connect key locations, including Sector 5, Sealdah, Esplanade, and Howrah Maidan. Once the entire corridor is fully operational, it will greatly benefit commuters and improve transport connectivity across Kolkata.
