Kolkata Metro: CMRS Identifies 50 Issues with Howrah – Esplanade Line

Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation (KMRC) on Wednesday received an observation report with feedback from the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) for starting commercial operations on Kolkata Metro Line-2’s 3.9 km Howrah Maidan – Esplanade section.

This report identifies 50 issues with the Green Line’s Phase 2A which was inspected by Janak Kumar Garg – the Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS) and his team on Monday and Tuesday this week.

The statutory inspection included assessing passenger facilities, control room and safety features at 4 new stations located at Howrah Maidan, Howrah, Mahakaran and Esplanade. It ended on Tuesday after a speed trial run in which one of the line’s fourteen BEML trains touched a maximum speed of 90 kmph from Howrah Maidan to Esplanade.

Here’s a copy of the observation report shared by follower Rupraj Sengupta which identifies 50 issues or conditions KMRC has to follow or rectify prior to starting operations.

Most of them are minor in nature and deal with signage issues, CCTV coverage, lighting, fire safety precautions and restriction of passenger access to certain places. The major issues have already been resolved, such as #3 – cracks in tunnel ring segments (which is shocking to me) and #5 – patching of concrete slabs & diaphragm wall.

Photos from the inspection can be viewed here.

CMRS approvals are always conditional and the letters’ subject line clearly highlight “sanction” (see report for Bangalore Metro’s extension to Anjanapura or “authorization” (see report for Jaipur Metro’s extension to Badi Chaupar), but that’s not the case here. Approval for commercial operations has not been granted.

With this development, the line’s commercial launch now depends on (1) how quickly KMRC takes corrective action in meeting the CMRS’ requirements & suggestions for safely operating the line, (2) CMRS grants approval, and (3) the availability of local & national ministers wanting to attend the launch event.

Post-inauguration, Kolkata Metro’s Green Line will become 13 km long and consist of 2 disjointed sections due to ongoing construction (tunnel re-enforcement & cross-passage) activities in Bowbazar neighborhood – located between Esplanade and Sealdah.

For more updates, check out the Kolkata section or my Home Page! Sign up for free instant email notifications on new posts over here. Like this post? Get early-access to updates and support the site over here.

– TMRG