Kolkata Airport Metro Project Revived with New Traffic Diversion Plan
In a significant development for Kolkata's infrastructure, the stalled Orange Line metro project near the airport is set to move forward with a fresh traffic diversion proposal. Days after rejecting an initial plan due to congestion concerns, Bidhannagar City Police has put forth an alternative route to facilitate construction of the final 135 meters of the metro line.
Police Propose Alternative to Ease Congestion
Led by Bidhannagar Commissioner of Police Murli Dhar, officers conducted a comprehensive site survey on airport land adjacent to the existing airport road. The survey aimed to assess feasibility, traffic-carrying capacity, and the potential for creating a temporary replacement road. A joint inspection involving Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) and airport authorities is expected later this week, according to officials.
The project hit a major hurdle last week when Bidhannagar police refused to sanction RVNL's proposed traffic diversion plan. RVNL had suggested shutting the airport exit road and redirecting traffic via airport gate 2.5, but police objected, warning that this would cause massive traffic chaos during peak hours, with backups potentially stretching as far as Dakshineswar and Madhyamgram.
"We are not against the construction and overall development of infrastructure projects in the city," a police officer explained. "But we could not allow traffic diversion through airport gate 2.5 as proposed by RVNL. Hence, we looked for alternative routes and came up with an option, which is subject to being vetted by all stakeholders."
Details of the New Proposal
The alternative plan involves creating a temporary single-lane, one-way road by breaking down a section of the wall next to the airport exit road and demolishing a portion of a dilapidated, abandoned Air India building. This new road would run parallel to the existing thoroughfare, directing traffic from the airport exit road to VIP Road along the boundary wall.
Background on the Orange Line Construction Challenges
The Orange Line, part of the 31-kilometer New Garia-Airport metro corridor, has faced numerous obstacles. The final 900 meters of the line is underground due to airport regulations, with the last 135 meters requiring specialized construction methods.
In January 2025, India's longest "box-pushing" tunnelling work began beneath the airport flyover. This innovative technique involved pushing boxes the size of three train coaches through soil to build the tunnel. However, work halted several months ago following instances of subsidence.
After exploring various soil-strengthening methods, RVNL engineers concluded that the cut-and-cover method was the only viable solution. This approach requires excavating a trench, building the tunnel within it, and then covering it with soil or a roof slab. To implement this safely and avoid further subsidence risks, the road from the airport towards VIP Road must be dug up.
Stakeholder Responses and Next Steps
A Metro Railway spokesperson emphasized the collaborative nature of such projects, stating, "A metro project is a continuous process. There will be several revisions and proposals from all stakeholders to get the public project moving."
Airport officials have adopted a cautious stance, indicating they will comment only after receiving a detailed proposal for review. The coming weeks will be crucial as all parties work to finalize plans that balance infrastructure development with minimal disruption to Kolkata's traffic flow.
This development represents a critical step forward for Kolkata's metro expansion, demonstrating how urban infrastructure projects often require adaptive planning and stakeholder cooperation to overcome technical and logistical challenges.
