Structural Issues Identified at Kolkata Metro's Kavi Subhash Blue Line Platform
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has officially confirmed the presence of structural issues at the Kavi Subhash Metro station located on Kolkata Metro's Blue Line. In a detailed written reply submitted to the Rajya Sabha on Friday, February 6, 2026, the minister disclosed that these concerns have necessitated the suspension of passenger services and the initiation of rehabilitation work for the affected platform.
Distinction Between Blue and Orange Lines
It is crucial to note that within the Kolkata Metro network, there are two distinct stations named Kavi Subhash. One serves the Orange Line, which runs from Kavi Subhash to Biman Bandar, and the other is part of the Blue Line, specifically the Dakshineshwar-Kavi Subhash corridor. Minister Vaishnaw emphasized that no structural distress has been detected at the Kavi Subhash station on the Orange Line, ensuring its continued operational safety.
The Blue Line station, constructed between 2008 and 2010 and commissioned in 2010, has encountered structural problems specifically on its up platform. As a result, passenger services at this station were halted in July 2025. The rehabilitation efforts for this platform are currently underway, aiming to address the foundational damage and restore full functionality.
Parliamentary Inquiry and Response
The minister's statement was in response to inquiries raised by Rajya Sabha MP Samik Bhattacharya, who sought clarification on whether the platform was being dismantled and rebuilt due to foundation-related structural damage. Vaishnaw provided a comprehensive update, outlining the timeline and nature of the rehabilitation work without specifying an exact completion date.
Progress on Kolkata Metro Orange Line
In addition to addressing the Blue Line issues, Minister Vaishnaw provided an update on the Orange Line's expansion. The line currently operates from Kavi Subhash to Beleghata, covering nine stations. This segment was launched in phases, with the stretch from Kavi Subhash to Hemanta Mukhopadhyay commissioned in March 2024 (Phase I) and the section from Hemanta Mukhopadhyay to Beleghata commissioned in August 2025 (Phase II).
However, the remaining work on the Orange Line, extending from Beleghata to Dum Dum Airport over a distance of 22.2 kilometers, is facing significant delays. The primary obstacle is at Chingrighata Crossing, located between Beleghata and Gour Kishore Ghosh stations. Key issues include:
- Temporary Traffic Diversion: Required for three nights on each side of the road to launch viaduct segments, with each night requiring an 8-hour closure.
- Proposal Submission: Submitted to the Government of West Bengal in December 2024.
- Infrastructure Preparedness: The diversion road, as specified by Kolkata Traffic Police, was constructed in February 2025.
- Pending NOC: Despite multiple meetings with state government and police officials over approximately 10 months, the No Objection Certificate (NOC) remains awaited, stalling progress.
This delay highlights the challenges in urban infrastructure projects, where coordination between central and state authorities is critical for timely completion. The Kolkata Metro expansion is a key component of enhancing public transportation in the city, and resolving these issues is essential for future connectivity improvements.
