The Chingrighata Metro bottleneck on Kolkata’s Orange Line has been cleared, allowing trial runs on the Beleghata-Sector V section and moving the delayed extension closer to passenger operations. The three-station stretch is expected to open around Christmas, subject to successful technical trials and the required clearances.
Trial runs began on October 10 for the section between Beleghata and the IT Centre in Sector V, marking the first time a Metro rake has travelled across the completed stretch. The trials are also testing the Communication-Based Train Control signalling system, along with other operational and safety systems required before commercial services can begin.
The section includes Gour Kishore Ghosh, Nalban and IT Centre stations. Metro authorities are expected to continue testing for several weeks while carrying out software alignment, system synchronisation, signalling checks and other technical evaluations. Passenger services will begin only after these processes and the requisite approvals are completed.
The immediate breakthrough follows the completion of a 366-metre viaduct gap at Chingrighata. Work on the gap had remained stalled for a prolonged period, holding up the connection between Beleghata and Sector V. Rail Vikas Nigam Limited subsequently completed the viaduct and track-laying work, enabling the two sections to be connected for trial operations.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, speaking at the inauguration of the Ozen Hotel near Akankha Crossing in New Town, described the clearance as a major infrastructure achievement. He said the previous regime had kept the Chingrighata Metro work pending for 17 months, while his government cleared the issue in 17 days. The statement was made in the context of the start of trial runs on the Orange Line extension.
The Orange Line currently operates between Kavi Subhash and Beleghata. If passenger services begin on the Beleghata-Sector V section after the trials and approvals, the operational stretch will extend to more than 14 kilometres. The extension would add a direct Metro connection towards Sector V, a major employment and commercial district, although the source report does not provide projected passenger numbers or journey-time estimates.
The section forms part of the larger Kavi Subhash-Jai Hind Bimanbandar corridor, popularly known as the Orange Line, which is planned to connect Kavi Subhash with the airport. The next formal milestones are the completion of the ongoing technical and operational trials, the required clearances and a final decision on the proposed passenger-service start around Christmas.
