The first trial run for north-south Metro’s 4 km extension from Noapara to Dakshineswar was successfully completed on 23rd Decmeber 2020.
“After Dakshineswar station is added, Kolkatans can hope to use 31 km of north-south corridor by February-end,” Metro Railway general manager Manoj Joshi, who was on board the first train from the Noapara terminal.
Once the new 4km elevated section is commissioned, people can travel all the way from the temple town of Dakshineswar in the northern suburbs to Kavi Subhas (New Garia) in the extreme south. The existing Kavi Subhas-Noapara line, cutting the city’s north-south axis covers 27 km. Around 15 km of it is underground.
The trial run started around 10.30 am on the GM’s special coach from Noapara. The GM stood in the motorman’s cabin, watching the maiden run through viaduct and the newly built Baranagar station. On reaching Dakhineswar station, Joshi, along with senior officials, inspected the platforms, concourse, entry and exit gates, circulating area, lifts, escalators and other passenger amenities.
Following successful trials, the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) will inspect the new section in a month from now. CRS, under the ministry of civil aviation, gives the mandatory safety nod for commercial operations of any new Metro line in the country.
People from vast stretches on either side of BT Road, Bally, Dunlop, Dankuni will be able to access the city’s and India’s first underground rapid transit system. “In the next two months, off and on, trains will be run along the stretch culminating in the start of full-fledged operations post the CRS nod for commissioning,” an RVNL official said.