Kolkata is on the verge of a major public transport breakthrough. The city’s first full metro ring route, which connects the Blue, Green, and Orange Lines, is almost ready for commuters. However, a 366-metre stretch at Chingrighata remains unfinished, temporarily halting the complete loop’s operations. The final segment lies between the Salt Lake Sector V and Sealdah stations on the East-West Metro (Green Line), with the pending viaduct being the last obstacle in connecting key interchanges across the city.
Chingrighata Remains The Final Obstacle
The entire viaduct structure along the Orange Line is almost complete, with only a short portion at Chingrighata remaining. As reported by The Times of India, Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL) has sought approval for night work during weekends. The task involves launching two steel spans over the busy Chingrighata crossing. It will be followed by 304 metres of viaduct construction across the Eastern Drainage Channel and Sukantanagar.
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This pending work does not require a full traffic block at the site. Completion is expected soon after the necessary clearance is granted. Once ready, commuters can travel directly from New Garia to Sector V via the Orange Line. They can then continue through the Green and Blue Lines, eventually returning to Esplanade. This will complete Kolkata’s first full metro ring.
Key Benefits Of The Kolkata Metro Ring
The metro ring will connect several vital parts of the city, providing easier transfers across lines without having to return to central stations. According to Metro Railway officials, the project will decongest existing metro corridors and provide better alternatives for commuters. With seamless transitions between the three major lines, the ring will reduce travel time and offer more route flexibility.
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Plans are also in place to develop another ring by linking the Joka-Esplanade corridor (Purple Line) with the Blue Line at Tollygunge and Esplanade. Additionally, the Yellow Line extension from Noapara will create further possibilities for circular travel in the future.
Awaiting Safety Clearance For East-West Metro Completion
As reported by The Times of India, another pending section between Sealdah and Esplanade on the Green Line is under review by the Commission of Railway Safety (CRS). Once approved, this 2.3-kilometre stretch will fully operationalise the 16.6-kilometre East-West corridor from Sector V to Howrah Maidan.
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Alongside structural expansions, authorities are working to enhance passenger experience with new station amenities, including electronic lockers and massage chairs at select hubs. Once all clearances are obtained and final stretches completed, Kolkata’s first metro ring will mark a new era in the city’s public transport evolution.
Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons