Kolkata Metro’s Green Line To Halt Operations For Second Time In February As Key Trials Continue—All You Need To Know

Kolkata Metro Railway has announced a temporary suspension of services along the East-West corridor (Green Line) for the second time this month.

Operations will be halted from 20-23 February to facilitate crucial trials on the long-awaited Sealdah-Esplanade connection, reported The Hindu.

Currently, the Green Line operates in two separate segments: one running from Salt Lake Sector V to Sealdah (9.4 km) and the other stretching from Esplanade to Howrah Maidan (4.8 km).

The 2 km missing link between Sealdah and Esplanade, a key segment connecting Bidhannagar with Howrah, has faced significant delays due to soil subsidence and water leakage issues in Bowbazar.

Despite these setbacks, the track-laying work for the west-bound tunnel in Bowbazar was completed in December 2024, marking a major milestone.

According to the officials cited in The Hindu report, the tunnelling between Sealdah and Esplanade is completed, paving the way for final testing before commercial operations commence.

To ensure seamless functioning of the upcoming connection, trials are being conducted in two phases.

The first phase concluded on 16 February, and the second phase is set to begin on 20 February, during which operations along both stretches of the Green Line will remain closed. 

“Tests are being conducted on platform screen-door synchronisation, signalling systems, and communication-based train control (CBTC) systems to ensure seamless train operations and reduced room for human error," a Metro Railway spokesperson was quoted as saying by The Hindu.

While testing is progressing, officials have yet to confirm a definitive launch date for passenger services on the Sealdah-Esplanade link.

In a separate development, Kolkata Metro has announced the installation of an advanced Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at the Central sub-station of the Blue Line.

This system is designed to enhance passenger safety in case of power outages or grid failures.

The new battery system, featuring inverters and Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) batteries, will enable metro rakes stranded in tunnels to travel at 30 km/hr to the nearest station during emergencies.

Officials highlight that the green battery pack boasts a lifespan of 14 years and will also serve as an energy storage system, allowing stored power to be used during peak hours.

The battery system is scheduled to arrive at the installation site in March, with full commissioning expected by May 2025.

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