Kolkata Metro Blue Line Services Disrupted by Morning Signalling Fault
Kolkata's vital Blue Line metro corridor experienced another service interruption on Wednesday, this time affecting the northern segment between Dakshineswar and Baranagar stations during the crucial morning rush hours. The disruption, which primarily impacted commuters from Howrah and Hooghly districts, was caused by a technical glitch in the local signalling system at Dakshineswar station.
Technical Snag Detected During Early Operations
According to Metro Railway officials, the signalling system issue was first detected shortly after the commencement of morning services at 6:55 AM. Staff on duty noticed the anomaly in the signalling apparatus at Dakshineswar station, prompting immediate safety measures. In response, train movements were regulated by halting services at Baranagar station and implementing reversal operations from that point to maintain partial functionality.
"During early morning services, disturbances in the local signalling system at Dakshineswar station were reported. As a precautionary measure, our engineers reached the spot to fix the issue," stated Metro Railway in an official communication. "Meanwhile, full Up and Down services were available between Shahid Khudiram and Baranagar stations."
Impact on Commuters and Service Restoration
The disruption proved particularly challenging for office-goers traveling from Howrah and Hooghly, as Dakshineswar station serves as their primary connection point to Kolkata's central business district. The Blue Line, often described as the city's transportation lifeline, typically handles heavy passenger volumes during morning peak hours.
Metro authorities implemented contingency measures to minimize inconvenience, maintaining normal train operations along the unaffected Baranagar-Shahid Khudiram section of the corridor. Complete service restoration across the entire Blue Line was achieved by 8:46 AM, following prompt engineering interventions to resolve the signalling fault.
Safety Protocols and Operational Response
Sources within the metro system emphasized that passenger safety remained the paramount concern throughout the incident. "Shortly after the first services started this morning, the staff on duty noticed a glitch in the signalling system at Dakshineswar station. In the interest of passenger safety, train movement was immediately regulated by stopping them at Baranagar and reversing from there," explained an insider familiar with the operational response.
The swift deployment of engineering teams to the affected station and the implementation of controlled operational procedures helped prevent more extensive service disruptions while technicians addressed the technical issue. This incident marks another in a series of recent operational challenges faced by Kolkata's metro network, highlighting the ongoing maintenance demands of the city's critical public transportation infrastructure.
