Railway projects in West Bengal: The has sanctioned multiple infrastructure projects worth Rs 895.30 crore to boost line capacity and improve freight train operations in West Bengal. These projects are also expected to improve safety, enhance reliability and deliver a better commuter experience in the coming years.
A look at the newly approved rail projects in West Bengal:
Being the country’s oldest (built in the 1980s), the Metro was originally designed to support train operations at a frequency of about five minutes. However, with rising passenger demand, the need for higher-frequency operations has increased.
To meet this demand, the Ministry on Saturday sanctioned projects worth Rs 671.72 crore for improving North-South Corridor of Kolkata Metro. These includes:
“With the sanctioning of this project, Kolkata Metro will be enabled to operate at a 2.5-minute headway, significantly enhancing line capacity and service frequency,” it said in a statement.
The Adra Division falls under South Eastern Railway (SER). On Saturday, the Ministry approved projects worth Rs 223.58 crore for the construction of Bridge No. 520 (UP & DN, substructure) between the Madhukunda-Damodar section, along with associated yard remodelling and track works in the bridge approaches.
According to Railways, the existing Damodar Bridge (Bridge No. 520), constructed in 1965 (UP line) and 1903 (DN line), has aged significantly and shows signs of structural distress, necessitating reconstruction of foundation and substructure.
The Madhukunda-Damodar railway section is an important link between Asansol and Tatanagar. The route forms a key DFC feeder line and coal corridor (Sini–Purulia–Asansol) and carries a high traffic density of 67 GMT.
