Kolkata Metro To Upgrade AC And Tunnel Ventilation In Rs 500 Crore Eco-Friendly Overhaul

Kolkata Metro Railway has rolled out a Rs 500 crore initiative to modernise the air-conditioning and tunnel ventilation systems along the 16 km Belgachhia–Rabindra Sarobar stretch, introducing green technology aimed at conserving 18 crore litres of groundwater each year, according to a Times of India report.

The project, spanning 15 underground stations, is also expected to stabilise plummeting groundwater levels across the surrounding neighbourhoods.

According to officials, contracts have been awarded for the upgrade, which allocates Rs 150 crore to replace 30 of the existing 46 water-cooled chillers with air-cooled units, while Rs 350 crore is reserved for revamping tunnel ventilation.

“The transition from water-cooling chillers to air-cooling ones will reduce carbon footprint,” a senior official was quoted as saying by ToI.

The official added that the new AC units will sustain a subsoil temperature of 28 degrees celsius, critical for preserving microbes that play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance.

The tunnel ventilation system will also see a comprehensive upgrade. With non-AC rakes having been phased out, the system is being redesigned to ensure cool air continues to circulate as AC trains arrive.

Stations will benefit from improved airflow, supported by over-the-track exhausts.

“The fans will start revolving automatically if there is the slightest deviation in the standard subsoil temperature (28 degrees),” the official explained.

Advanced features include a linear heat detector, CO2 sensors to regulate fresh air intake, and dual-function fans capable of dispersing smoke in emergencies while supplying oxygen during evacuations.

Work on the system will only be feasible in winter, and outside operational hours.

The work is estimated to be completed in a three-year timeline, replacing AC systems at five stations simultaneously.

“Tunnel temperatures can be monitored from Metro Bhavan,” one engineer noted, pointing out that the electrical panels, designed to European standards, will also shield equipment during earthquakes.

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