Kolkata Metro's Orange Line Receives Green Signal for Critical Viaduct Construction
In a significant development for Kolkata's urban infrastructure, the city's police department has finally issued the long-awaited no-objection certificate (NOC) to Metro Railway. This approval permits essential traffic diversion on EM Bypass, enabling the construction of a viaduct to bridge a crucial gap for the Orange Line at Chingrighata.
Night Work Schedule and Traffic Management Plan
The traffic department has outlined a meticulous plan for the work, which is slated to occur on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights. The initial phase is scheduled to commence on May 15, followed by a second phase on three similar weekend nights starting from May 22. To facilitate this, a new 500-meter stretch of road has been constructed parallel to the Chingrighata flyover, serving as an alternative route for commuters during the traffic blocks.
This viaduct work aims to connect piers 317, 318, and 319, filling a 366-meter gap between Beleghata and Gour Kishor Ghosh stations. Once completed, it will allow the Orange Line, which currently operates from New Garia to Beleghata (Metropolitan), to extend its services seamlessly to Sector V, enhancing connectivity for thousands of daily passengers.
Background of Delays and Legal Proceedings
The project has faced substantial delays, with Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL), the implementing agency for the New Garia-Airport Metro corridor, seeking the NOC since February 2 last year. Girder-launching activities were stalled for over a year due to the pending approval, despite RVNL having prepared the alternative road for traffic diversion.
The impasse escalated legally when a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the Calcutta High Court, alleging that Kolkata Police was unnecessarily delaying the NOC. The High Court set a deadline of February 15, 2026, for the completion of the Metro work. The state government challenged this order in the Supreme Court, but the special leave petition (SLP) was dismissed on March 23.
Following this, RVNL sent a reminder to the traffic department on March 24, prompting the police to propose the night traffic blocks post-elections, preferably from May 15 onwards.
Impact on Project Timeline and Official Statements
The Chingrighata delay has forced Metro Railway to postpone the launch of the Orange Line's Beleghata (Metropolitan)-Sector V section to early 2027, shifting from the original deadline of June 2025. A senior Kolkata Police officer explained that the decision to issue the NOC was made after a meeting chaired by Commissioner Ajay Nand and senior traffic officials on Monday.
"After the elections, if the Metro work is carried out on six days, even with the Indian Super League (ISL) ongoing, it will not hamper our daily operations," stated a senior officer from Lalbazar, the police headquarters.
Traffic Monitoring and Future Adjustments
To ensure smooth implementation, police are conducting detailed traffic trials along the slip road near Captain Bheri and the connecting route from Chingrighata flyover to Beleghata Canal Road-EM Bypass. These trials, run twice daily during peak hours—from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM and 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM—will continue over the next few days to gather hourly data on vehicle volume.
An officer noted, "This cycle may be changed as required based on the traffic statistics collected," indicating flexibility in the schedule to minimize disruption. The focus remains on balancing infrastructure development with public convenience, marking a pivotal step forward for Kolkata's Metro expansion.
