Kolkata’s Orange Line Metro has moved closer to opening its next extension after charging of the third rail began on the 10-km stretch between Beleghata and Sector V. Metro Railway is scheduled to begin trial runs on the section from October 10, ahead of the proposed extension of passenger services beyond the currently operational Beleghata station.
A Metro Railway official said the third rail would now receive a continuous power supply, unlike earlier checks when power was switched on temporarily and then withdrawn. The official warned that the rail is live and asked people not to approach it.
Metro trains on the Orange Line draw traction power through a third-rail current collector, known as a TRCC. This differs from conventional or mainline railway trains, which generally collect electricity from overhead equipment through a pantograph. The charging of the third rail is therefore an important step before trains can undergo powered testing on the extension.
The Orange Line, also known as the Kavi Subhas-Airport corridor, currently operates over a 9-km stretch between Kavi Subhas and Beleghata. The extension to Sector V will take the operational corridor beyond 15 km and add three stations: Gour Kishore Ghosh, Nalban and Sector V.
The Sector V extension is the third phase of the corridor. The first phase reached Ruby crossing and the second extended services to Beleghata. Once the trial runs begin, officials will conduct checks of the communication-based train control system, or CBTC, which is used for train movement and signalling on the corridor.
A central government official said the Commissioner of Railway Safety would inspect the extension after the trial run. Passenger services can begin only after the safety commissioner grants approval. The timing of commercial operations will therefore depend on the outcome of the trials, signalling checks and the statutory inspection.
The extension is expected to improve direct metro access to Sector V, one of Kolkata’s major employment and commercial districts. It could also provide a rail connection towards destinations around the Eastern Metropolitan Bypass and reduce dependence on road-based travel for some commuters, although the report does not specify expected passenger numbers or changes to existing bus services.
Railway sources cited by the Times of India said officials were targeting commercial operations on the stretch around Christmas, potentially improving access to Nicco Park during the festive period. This remains a target rather than a confirmed opening date, as passenger services require the Commissioner of Railway Safety’s clearance.
The wider Orange Line corridor is planned in two further phases. The section from Sector V to City Centre II is targeted for completion by December 2027, while the final phase is planned for completion by the middle of 2028, according to railway sources. The next formal milestones are the October 10 trial run, CBTC testing and the subsequent safety inspection.
