Kolkata, India (Metro Rail Today): In a significant stride towards enhancing Kolkata's public transportation network, Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has initiated construction activities for the Victoria Memorial Station, a pivotal component of the 15.215 km Kolkata Metro Line 3 (Purple Line). This development marks the commencement of construction work on the underground package UG1, spanning 5.05 km between Mominpur and Esplanade.
The groundwork for Victoria Memorial Station began in September 2023, with L&T's team initiating barricading works to prepare the site for subsequent construction activities. Recently, the deployment of a trench cutter machine has facilitated the commencement of grabbing and trenching works to construct the diaphragm wall (D-wall) for the station box, spanning 325 meters. The station box is being constructed on the site of the Maidan's old fountain, as depicted in aerial views.
L&T secured the civil construction contract for Package UG1, valued at Rs. 2447 crore, from Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL) after emerging as the lowest bidder in June 2023. This section of Line-3, situated in the northern region, encompasses twin tunnels housing four underground stations: Kidderpore, Victoria Memorial, Park Street, and Esplanade. Notably, the interchange at Esplanade will mark the city's first three-line interchange, facilitating seamless connectivity with the Blue Line and Green Line.
Out of the 5.05 km stretch, approximately 500 meters between Esplanade and Park Street will be constructed using the cut-and-cover method, further underscoring the project's technical complexity and engineering prowess.
To expedite tunneling operations, L&T is poised to deploy two new tunnel boring machines (TBMs), with one TBM on standby. Industry sources indicate potential suppliers for these machines, with Herrenknecht or Japan's IHI being considered for the supply.
While tunneling work is anticipated to commence no earlier than the second quarter of 2025, the operationalization of this underground section is expected no sooner than 2029. Delays in the tendering process have pushed back the timeline, necessitating Line-3's Joka-Majerhat section to function independently for at least seven years before integrating with the broader Kolkata Metro network.
As L&T forges ahead with construction activities, Kolkata Metro Line 3 is inching closer to realization, promising enhanced connectivity, and convenience for commuters across the city.