Jan 30-Feb 2: KMRC seeks 4-day shutdown of East-West Metro

Kolkata: The Kolkata Metro Railway Corporation (KMRC), the agency implementing the 16.6-kilometre East-West Metro corridor, has sought a complete shutdown of the corridor from 11 pm on January 29 to 5 am on February 3 to conduct dynamic testing using two BEML-made rakes.

The proposal has been submitted to the Kolkata Metro authorities for approval. If approved, the East-West Metro corridor will be entirely closed from January 30 to February 2.

This follows the suspension of services on the Howrah Maidan-Esplanade stretch of the Green Line on January 12 and January 19 to facilitate interlocking tests for the Communication Based Train Control (CBTC) system between Salt Lake Sector V and Howrah Maidan. The Salt Lake Sector V-Sealdah section remained unaffected, as services on this stretch are already suspended on Sundays. However, the proposed shutdown dates coincide with the much-anticipated International Kolkata Book Fair, scheduled to from January 28 to February 9. The Publishers and Booksellers Guild, organiser of the fair, has announced plans to appeal to Metro authorities for a change in the closure dates.

Sources indicate that while the authorities are aware of the timing clash, the testing is deemed crucial. A final decision will be made considering the book fair, although the shutdown will likely proceed with potential adjustments to the dates.

During the dynamic trials, six-car rakes will be operated at varying speeds to evaluate the train’s performance under different conditions. Various sub-systems and equipment will also be tested. Additionally, performance-proving tests, as well as integration with signalling, platform screen doors, and telecom systems, may be conducted.

Additionally, KMRC has proposed a full 45-day closure of the Green Line from February 8 to March 24.