₹895 Cr Rail Infra Push: Kolkata Metro Upgrade Targets 2.5-Minute Frequency; Adra Bridge Project to Boost Freight Corridor
₹671.72 crore sanctioned for metro power upgrade; ₹223.58 crore for Damodar bridge rebuild in key coal and industrial route
A major share of ₹671.72 crore has been allocated to strengthen the North–South Corridor of the Kolkata Metro, aimed at significantly enhancing service frequency and capacity.
New Delhi: Indian Railways has approved infrastructure and capacity augmentation projects worth ₹895.30 crore, focusing on metro rail modernisation in Kolkata and critical bridge reconstruction in West Bengal’s Adra division.
Kolkata Metro Power Upgrade to Double Frequency
A major share of ₹671.72 crore has been allocated to strengthen the North–South Corridor of the Kolkata Metro, aimed at significantly enhancing service frequency and capacity.
The approved works include installation of seven new traction substations and a comprehensive upgrade of existing power systems from 11 kV to 33 kV. The augmentation will cover key sections from Esplanade to Kavi Subhash (New Garia), including elevated stretches.
Built in the 1980s, the corridor was originally designed for train operations at five-minute intervals. With rising passenger demand, the upgraded power infrastructure is expected to enable operations at a 2.5-minute headway—effectively doubling line capacity.
Officials said the modernisation will also address maintenance challenges arising from ageing equipment and lack of spare parts, ensuring more reliable and efficient metro services for commuters.
₹223 Cr Bridge Project to Strengthen Coal Corridor
In parallel, a ₹223.58 crore project has been sanctioned for reconstruction of Bridge No. 520 across the Damodar river in the Adra division under South Eastern Railway.
The bridge, originally constructed in 1903 (down line) and 1965 (up line), has shown structural distress over time, necessitating rebuilding of its foundation and substructure. The project also includes yard remodelling and track works in the bridge approaches.
The Madhukunda–Damodar section is a critical rail link between Asansol and Tatanagar and forms part of a key freight corridor serving coal movement and industrial supply chains. With a traffic density of 67 GMT, the route is vital for industries in the Durgapur–Asansol belt, including steel plants, cement units and thermal power stations.
Capacity, Safety and Industrial Impact
Railway officials said the projects are aligned with broader efforts to modernise infrastructure, improve safety and enhance network capacity. While the Kolkata Metro upgrade is expected to improve commuter experience through higher frequency and reliability, the Adra bridge project will strengthen freight movement and industrial connectivity in eastern India.
The latest approvals reflect continued investment by Indian Railways in future-ready transport systems designed to meet rising passenger demand and support economic activity across key regions.
