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Indian Railways Approves Rs 895 Crore for Metro Power and Bridge Upgrades

Indian Railways has approved infrastructure projects worth Rs 895.30 crore for metro power upgradation and bridge reconstruction. The Kolkata Metro North-South Corridor will receive Rs 671.72 crore for new substations to enable 2.5-minute train frequency. A separate Rs 223.58 crore project will reconstruct the aging Damodar Bridge to enhance safety and freight connectivity. These upgrades aim to improve passenger service and support industrial growth in key regions.

Key Points: Indian Railways Sanctions Rs 895 Crore Projects

  • Rs 671.72 crore sanctioned for Kolkata Metro North-South Corridor power upgrade
  • New substations enable 2.5-minute train frequency from existing 5-minute headway
  • Rs 223.58 crore for reconstructing Damodar Bridge between Madhukunda-Damodar
  • Bridge project to boost industrial connectivity in Durgapur-Asansol belt
3 min read

Indian Railways approves Rs 895.30 crore projects for power system upgradation and bridge infrastructure

Indian Railways approves Rs 895.30 crore for Kolkata Metro power upgradation and Damodar Bridge reconstruction to enhance capacity and safety.

"Kolkata Metro will be enabled to operate at a 2.5-minute headway, significantly enhancing line capacity and service frequency. - Indian Railways official"

New Delhi, May 2

Indian Railways has sanctioned key infrastructure and capacity augmentation projects worth Rs 895.30 crore to strengthen railway bridge infrastructure and enhance metro rail power systems.

In a major step towards enhancing metro rail capacity, works worth Rs. 671.72 crore have been sanctioned for strengthening the North-South Corridor of Kolkata Metro Railway. This includes the provision of 7 new Traction Substations for Rs. 291.06 crore.

Augmentation and upgradation of Auxiliary Substation (ASS) and Traction Substation (TSS) systems from KESP (Esplanade Metro) to KMUK (Kavi Subhash - New Garia) for the North-South Corridor of Kolkata Metro Railway, along with augmentation of power supply at elevated sections from KNTJ (Netaji Metro Station) to KKVS (Kavi Subhash Metro Station), including enhancement from existing 11 KV system to 33 KV system, at a cost of Rs 380.66 crore.

The Kolkata Metro system, built in the 1980s, was originally designed to support train operations at a frequency of about 5 minutes. With rising passenger demand, the requirement for higher frequency operations has increased. With the sanctioning of this project, Kolkata Metro will be enabled to operate at a 2.5-minute headway, significantly enhancing line capacity and service frequency.

The existing substations and equipment are reaching capacity limits and face maintenance challenges due to non-availability of spare parts. The approved upgradation will ensure a reliable power supply, support higher train frequency, and improve overall passenger service.

A project costing Rs 223.58 crore has been approved for the construction of Bridge No. 520 UP and 520 DN (substructure) between MDKD-DMA (Madhukunda-Damodar) section, along with associated yard remodelling and track works in bridge approaches under South Eastern Railway.

The existing Damodar Bridge (Bridge No. 520), constructed in 1965 (UP line) and 1903 (DN line), has aged significantly and shows signs of structural distress, necessitating reconstruction of the foundation and substructure.

This section is a key railway link between Asansol and Tatanagar, forming part of an important DFC feeder route and coal corridor (Sini-Purulia-Asansol), and carries a high traffic density of 67 GMT. The project will enhance safety, reliability, and operational efficiency.

The redevelopment is also expected to provide a boost to major industries in the Durgapur-Asansol belt, including IISCO plant, ACC plant and thermal power units, by improving rail connectivity.

These projects represent a significant step towards modernisation, safety enhancement, and capacity expansion across Indian Railways. While the bridge project will strengthen critical freight and industrial connectivity, the metro power upgrades will enable higher frequency, improved reliability, and a better commuter experience in Kolkata.

Indian Railways continues to invest in robust infrastructure to meet growing transportation demands while ensuring safe, efficient, and future-ready rail operations.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
The Damodar Bridge reconstruction is critical. That bridge was built in 1903! Imagine the stress it's been under for over a century carrying coal trains. Safety should always come first. Good decision by Railways but they should also look at other aging bridges across the network.
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Rohit P
Rs 895 crore sounds impressive but let's see how much actually reaches the ground. In Indian Railways, many projects get sanctioned but delayed for years due to tendering issues and contractor problems. Hope they have a proper timeline this time. Maintenance challenges due to spare parts unavailability? That's an old story.
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Sarah B
As a frequent traveler between Asansol and Tatanagar, I'm relieved about the bridge work. That stretch always feels dodgy, especially during monsoon when the Damodar swells. Let's hope this improves freight movement too - the coal corridor is vital for power plants in the region. đź‘Ť
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Michael C
Good initiative but why only Kolkata Metro? What about Chennai, Bengaluru, or Delhi metros? They also face similar capacity issues. Upgrade should be part of a national plan, not just isolated projects. Plus, the 33 KV system upgrade is long overdue - old 11 KV systems are inefficient.
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Vikram M
As someone who works in power systems, I appreciate the technical specifics mentioned here. Transition from 11 KV to 33 KV will significantly reduce transmission losses. Also, 7 new traction substations will help balance load better. But maintenance culture in Indian Railways needs massive improvement - otherwise new equipment will face same old problems.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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