Kolkata Metro Services on Noapara to Dakshineswar corridor is likely to commence in September. With the commissioning of the new metro route in the northern fringes of the city, the inconvenience being faced by numerous commuters following the Tallah bridge shutdown, will be reduced to a great extent. This stretch will also ease the load on the suburban railway and road networks around BT Road. It will serve as an important link between the existing network with Barrackpore areas.
The metro station at Dakshineswar, which is one of major religious tourist destinations of the state of West Bengal, will boast of features like solar-powered station building and wheelchair-friendly ticket counters.
The 3.78km stretch was initially expected to be opened to public, this month. However, due to the nationwide lockdown, the work on this line was halted. Presently Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), is carrying out the work on warfooting with all norms of Covid19 protocol.
According to sources, work on track laying and electrification of the tracks is being completed in this stretch. The metro authorities are mulling over to complete the task and open the network to the public within the month of October.
Meanwhile, gearing up for commercial services soon, trial runs are being carried at Phoolbagan metro station. As informed by sources, the first underground metro station of the East-West Corridor that has recently received a nod from the commissioner of railway safety, is also undergoing full swing preparations. The metro at Phulbagan, which was due for inauguration till the end of this month, is likely to be opened in the next month, an official of Metro Rail Kolkata informed.