Kolkata Metro's Blue Line Secures CRS Approval for Timings Solution
The Metro Railway in Kolkata has recently achieved a significant milestone by receiving a crucial nod from the Commission of Railway Safety (CRS). This approval pertains to a solution designed to maintain the timings of the Blue Line, with the ambitious goal of achieving 98% operational accuracy. This development comes as a relief to commuters who have faced disruptions due to operational challenges.
Safety Norms and Operational Challenges
Previously, the CRS enforced a strict safety precaution that prohibited a Metro rake from departing the second-last southern terminal, Shahid Khudiram, until the preceding train had turned at the terminal Kavi Subhash station to head northwards. This rule was implemented to ensure that only one train occupied the tracks between Kavi Subhash and Shahid Khudiram, a critical safety measure given the viaduct's slope down to the ground-level Kavi Subhash station.
However, operations at Kavi Subhash station have been suspended since July 28, 2025, following the detection of cracks in the piers supporting the platforms. This suspension placed immense operational stress on the North-South or Blue Line, as the new southern terminal, Shahid Khudiram at Briji or Dhali Bridge, lacks a crossover facility. Consequently, trains were still driven to the now-suspended Kavi Subhash station at New Garia for track-switching, leading to significant timetable disruptions.
Temporary Relaxation and Its Impact
In response to these challenges, Metro Railway urged the CRS to relax the norm temporarily. The CRS has now lifted this diktat, allowing all 172 trains (both Up and Down) to proceed up to Kavi Subhash and switch tracks. This temporary relaxation enables trains to move towards the terminal station even as empty trains travel from the opposite direction, thereby facilitating smoother operations.
This adjustment is expected to help Metro Railway maintain 98% operational accuracy, a notable improvement from the previous scenario where timetables went haywire. Earlier attempts to mitigate issues, such as terminating 33 services at Tollygunge to improve frequencies, proved ineffective. Passengers expressed frustration at being asked to disembark at Tollygunge despite having destinations farther down the line, and waiting times for northbound trains at Tollygunge increased, further delaying services.
Key Facilities and Future Implications
Kavi Subhash station, the erstwhile southern terminal, boasts a crossover facility that remains essential for operations. Trains continue to utilize this facility since Shahid Khudiram station does not have a crossover. The CRS's temporary approval allows Metro Railway to leverage this infrastructure to enhance scheduling and reduce delays.
This development underscores the importance of adaptive safety measures in urban transit systems. While the relaxation is temporary, it provides a much-needed reprieve for Kolkata Metro's Blue Line, aiming to restore reliability and efficiency for daily commuters. Authorities will likely monitor the situation closely to ensure safety standards are upheld while optimizing operational performance.
