East-West Metro CBTC signalling work begins, paves way for key railway link in Kolkata.

Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) signalling work officially began on Sunday for the entire Howrah Maidan to Sector V stretch of Kolkata Metro's East-West Corridor, marking a significant milestone in connecting the bustling stations of Howrah and Sealdah. This development follows the successful overcoming of challenges posed by the Bowbazar tunnelling crisis and the completion of crucial connections between Sealdah and Esplanade Metro stations.

The Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (KMRCL) had requested complete traffic blocks on two Sundays, January 12 and 19, which were promptly granted to facilitate the work. The electrical installation for the aluminium third rail is nearing completion, and the necessary statutory inspection has been requested before it is energized.

The East-West Metro, also known as the Green Line, is set to save daily commuters approximately 90 minutes of travel time compared to the current overcrowded and slow-moving buses or taxis between Howrah and Sealdah.

KMRCL has also submitted a request for full closure of the Green Line service from February 8 to March 24, although approval is still pending.

The Green Line will be the first Metro corridor in Kolkata to feature the CBTC system, which allows for safe and automatic train operations. In addition to automatic train protection (ATP) to prevent accidents, the system will enable the Metro rakes to operate in Automatic Train Operation (ATO) mode, allowing real-time communication of train data such as position, speed, and acceleration.

The system's design ensures that the train driver mainly oversees train start-up and door operations, with the control center capable of halting all trains simultaneously in the event of an emergency or earthquake, similar to systems in Japan. This advanced feature is unavailable on the North-South Corridor (Blue Line).

The Metro currently operates in two sections: Green Line-1 (Salt Lake Sector V to Sealdah) and Green Line-2 (Esplanade to Howrah Maidan). The critical link between Sealdah and Esplanade was disrupted by the Bowbazar cave-in five years ago, but tunneling was completed in December.

As the CBTC system is integrated across the entire East-West corridor, the official emphasized that completing the signaling system will unify the route, unlike traditional infrastructure works where completing missing links signals the end of the project.

KMRCL has also requested a 45-day block to finalize and test the newly installed software, with potential adjustments sent to overseas laboratories if needed. Once fully validated, the system will be presented to an Independent Safety Assessor (ISA) for certification before the Chief Railway Safety Commissioner conducts a final inspection.

Upon receiving certification, the system will be cleared for commercial use, paving the way for a modernized and efficient East-West Metro service in Kolkata.

ET