বাংলায় পড়ুন
The much awaited East West Metro Rail service which was due to begin this month will once again miss its deadline. Sources at the Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation Limited (KMRCL) said that the first phase of the East West Metro Rail route from Sector V to Salt Lake Stadium was supposed to begin but owing to KMRCL authority, after taking stock of the progress in work and looking at the time which would be required to get necessary clearances, had deferred the inauguration of the route from July to August.
By the end of June, KMRCL had written to Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) seeking clearance to run the East West Metro Rail commercially. Since all the necessary documents had been attached KMRCL authorities had hoped that the CRS inspection would completed by the first week of July.
However, KMRCL sources said that CRS had replied saying that the inspection would be done between July 17 and 20. The inspection will take 2-3 days and the inspection report will arrive in another week. If there is any suggestion by the CRS, implementing that would take some more time. Taking everything into consideration, officials said that the rolling out of Phase I would be deferred to next month.
In the first phase Metro Rails will cover 4.88 km comprising six stations. Interestingly, two of the stations – Bengal Chemical and Stadium – are yet to get clearance from the fire department and there was no surety when it will be given. KMRCL officials hope it will be given by the end of this month.
So far 11 rakes have already arrived for the service. In the first phase, five rakes would be used. The ticket system has already been decided. Along with token and smart cards there will also be ‘Mobile Ticketing System’. A special smartphone app will be ready and functional by the end of this month. Sources also said that in the second phase East West Metro Rail services will begin from Salt Lake Stadium to Phoolbagan, by the end of this year.
