West Bengal: Kolkata Metro’s Blue Line Begins Aluminium Third Rail Upgrade For Faster Acceleration, Halves Wait Time

The Kolkata Metro has taken a significant step towards modernising its services on the north–south Blue Line, with the completion of the first phase of its third rail upgrade last week.

As per The Telegraph report, at Mahanayak Uttam Kumar (Tollygunge) station, the existing steel third rail was replaced with aluminium, marking the start of a wider overhaul that promises faster, more energy-efficient travel for commuters.

The third rail supplies electricity to the trains, and the choice of aluminium is expected to bring marked improvements.

“Aluminium is a much better electricity conductor than steel. Aluminium third rail will reduce the system voltage drops and subsequent energy losses. Less voltage drops will help in achieving faster acceleration of trains,” an engineer involved in the project was quoted as saying.

Currently, trains on the Blue Line run at intervals of around five minutes during peak hours.

Once the entire 34-kilometre stretch is fitted with aluminium rails, metro officials believe the system will be able to run trains every two-and-a-half minutes, dramatically cutting waiting times.

The first phase covered the down line towards New Garia from Shyambazar to Tollygunge, as well as the up line towards Dakshineswar between Shyambazar and Park Street.

The second phase, scheduled for completion before December 2025, will focus on the up line from Park Street to Tollygunge and both tracks between Shyambazar and Dum Dum.

The final stage will cover the stretch between Tollygunge and Kavi Subhas (New Garia).

Similar aluminium third rail systems are already in place across major metros including London, Munich, Moscow and Istanbul.

The aluminium components, shipped from Hamburg, Germany, reached Kolkata in late July 2024, after preparatory work began last September.

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