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The Centre has proposed an increased budget of over ₹4,000 crore for Calcutta’s Metro projects in 2024-25, highlighting significant investment in the city’s transit infrastructure.
Key Points
- The Centre has proposed over ₹4,000 crore for Calcutta’s Metro projects in the 2024-25 budget, up from less than ₹3,500 crore allocated in the previous year.
- Significant funding has been allocated to major corridors including the Orange Line (New Garia-Airport), Purple Line (Joka-Esplanade), Yellow Line (Noapara-Barasat), and Green Line (East-West Metro).
- Progress on various sections of the Metro lines continues, with some stretches nearing operational status and others facing construction challenges.
- The allocation reflects the government’s focus on infrastructure development and resolving land-related issues.
- Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced a total allocation of ₹13,941 crore for railways in Bengal for the current financial year.
In a significant boost to Calcutta‘s Metro infrastructure, the Centre has proposed an allocation exceeding ₹4,000 crore for the city’s Metro projects in the 2024-25 budget. This marks a notable increase from the previous year’s allocation of less than ₹3,500 crore.
A senior railway ministry official emphasized that the enhanced budget reflects a strong focus on infrastructure development. “The funds will not be an issue as long as the work progresses. Most land-related issues have been resolved, so work should continue smoothly,” the official stated.
The proposed budget for the New Garia-Airport corridor, known as the Orange Line, is ₹1,791.39 crore, up from the revised allocation of ₹1,700 crore in 2023-24. The 30km corridor, which aims to connect New Garia with the airport via Salt Lake, is operational on a 5.4km stretch between New Garia and Ruby stations. The next section, spanning 4km from Ruby to Beleghata, is expected to begin commercial operations soon, with a final extension to Sector V planned by 2025.
For the Joka-Esplanade corridor (Purple Line), the proposed budget is ₹1,208.61 crore, an increase from the revised ₹850 crore in 2023-24. Currently, the 15km corridor is functional between Joka and Majerhat, with underground sections planned for Mominpore. Construction is underway, with work recently starting on the diaphragm wall for tunnel-boring machines.
The corridor faces challenges, particularly regarding the relocation of BC Roy Market at the proposed Esplanade station. A proposal to temporarily move the market to a new site south of Shaheed Minar is in progress, with collaboration from the state government, police, and defence ministry.
The Noapara-Barasat corridor (Yellow Line) has a proposed outlay of ₹200 crore, a decrease from the revised ₹304.82 crore in 2023-24. The first stretch, from Noapara to Dum Dum Cantonment, is expected to become operational by October, with the line likely reaching the airport by year-end. However, progress beyond the airport is uncertain due to encroachments in the New Barrackpore-Barasat section.
The 16.5km East-West Metro corridor (Green Line) has been allocated ₹906 crore, the same as proposed in the interim budget earlier this year. This line aims to improve connectivity across the city.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted that Bengal has been allocated a total of ₹13,941 crore for railway projects in the current financial year, underscoring the Centre’s commitment to enhancing transportation infrastructure in the region.
