Year-Long Chingrighata Bottleneck Nearing Resolution
A critical 366-meter stretch of the New Garia-Kolkata Airport Metro line at the bustling Chingrighata intersection is finally set for completion, potentially ending a year-long bottleneck that has delayed the full operationalization of the Orange Line. Metro officials confirmed that the holdup, which began in February of last year, is due to the pending receipt of a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Kolkata Police.
Metro’s Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) S S Kannan stated on Thursday that the vital clearance is anticipated to be granted next week. This development comes despite a previous commitment made to the Calcutta High Court in September by lawyers for Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), the project's executing agency, who had assured a November restart for the work.
Traffic Management and Pending Construction
The immediate task awaiting construction crews is the completion of three pending pillars near the Chingrighata intersection. This work can commence only after the Kolkata Traffic Police provides the green light. To facilitate this final phase of construction, an agreement has been reached between RVNL and multiple authorities, including the Kolkata Police, Kolkata Municipality, KMDA, and the state Transport department.
During the construction period, the state government is expected to implement traffic management plans at this crucial junction, providing alternative routes to minimize disruption for commuters.
A Game-Changer for Kolkata Commuters
Currently, the New Garia-Airport Metro line is operational only between New Garia (Kavi Subhash) and Beleghata stations. The completion of the entire corridor up to the airport is poised to revolutionize urban mobility in the city.
Once fully functional, the Orange Line will offer a fast, traffic-free link to the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, significantly cutting down travel time for residents of South Kolkata and its suburbs who currently brave congested routes like Jessore Road and VIP Road.
Furthermore, the line will establish direct connectivity to major office hubs including Salt Lake Sector V and New Town. An official involved with the project highlighted the transformative potential, stating, "This will be a game-changer for the thousands of professionals who commute daily between South Kolkata, the suburbs, and the eastern and northern technology corridors, drastically reducing their travel time and cost." The completion of this line is eagerly awaited to benefit a vast number of commuters across the Kolkata Metropolitan Region.
