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After several setbacks, the East-West Metro project in Kolkata that will connect Howrah Maklan and Esplanade is now scheduled to be completed by December this year. The Esplanade-Sealdah section, which was particularly challenging, has seen work resume, and the metro is anticipated to be operational by 2024. Trials are currently underway for the Howrah Maidan and Esplanade section, using two rakes until the Esplanade-Sealdah stretch is ready. The Bowbazar area has posed challenges due to water seepages since 2019.
Once completed, the metro trains will run every 12 minutes, connecting the eastern and western parts of Kolkata. The 16 km metro line is expected to be fully operational by June 2024, despite the construction challenges and constraints it has faced. The under-river section will become operational once the 4.8 km Esplanade-Howrah Maidan stretch is ready by December 2023, marking India's first under-river Metro with unique challenges to overcome.
The main obstacle to completion has been the 2.4 km Sealdah-Esplanade section, causing delays. The East-West Metro, running from Sector V to Howrah Maidan, will be finalized by June of the following year. Currently, the metro covers 9.4 km from Sector V to Sealdah due to recurring subsidence issues. Strengthening work is being carried out on the Sealdah-Esplanade section, which is expected to take about six months to complete. Afterward, trial runs can be conducted on this troublesome section, and once the 2.5 km gap is filled, the entire 16.6 km stretch from Sector V to Howrah Maidan will be operational by June 2024.
Tests are underway for the 4.8 km Esplanade-Howrah Maidan section crossing the Hooghly River, with a battery-driven locomotive being used in the unfinished section from Sealdah to Esplanade. The Esplanade-Howrah Maidan section is set to be operational by December. The troubled zone is being systematically addressed, with a focus on strengthening the section to prevent collapses during Microtunnel construction. Safety requirements will be met before Metro services commence.
A technology called "Ground Freezing" will be employed to stabilize the soil and prevent water seepage in the problematic section. Liquid Nitrogen will be injected into the soil to freeze it, with a Norwegian firm contracted for this work, pending approval from the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization. While funds have been raised, the railway ministry has requested the state government to share half the project's cost, which has been declined. Efforts are underway to seek support from the Railway Board to cover the final project cost.
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