Railway Ministry sanctions ₹895 crore to upgrade Traction and Power Systems of Kolkata Metro

New Delhi, India (Metro Rail Today): In a major push towards strengthening urban transit and freight infrastructure, Indian Railways has sanctioned projects worth ₹895.30 crore, including a significant upgrade to Kolkata Metro’s power systems and a critical bridge reconstruction project in West Bengal’s Adra division. The twin initiatives aim to enhance capacity, improve safety, and support growing passenger and freight demand.

A major portion of the investment, ₹671.72 crore, has been allocated for augmenting the power infrastructure of the North–South Corridor of Kolkata Metro. The upgrade is expected to transform operations on one of India’s oldest metro lines by enabling trains to run at a much higher frequency.

The project includes the installation of seven new traction substations and a comprehensive upgrade of existing auxiliary and traction substations across the corridor, from Esplanade to Kavi Subhash. A key component of the upgrade involves enhancing the power supply system from the existing 11 kV to a more robust 33 kV network, particularly across elevated sections.

Originally designed in the 1980s to support train operations at five-minute intervals, the Kolkata Metro network has been operating near its capacity limits due to steadily rising ridership. With the approved upgrades, the corridor will be capable of supporting operations at a headway of just 2.5 minutes, effectively doubling line capacity and significantly improving service frequency.

The upgrade also addresses aging infrastructure challenges, as many of the existing substations and equipment are nearing capacity and face maintenance issues due to the non-availability of spare parts. The new system is expected to deliver more reliable power supply, reduce downtime, and improve overall commuter experience.

Mrs. Mamta Shah, MD & CEO of Urban Infra Group, said, “Upgrading legacy metro systems like Kolkata’s North–South Corridor is essential to meet rising urban mobility demands. Enhancing power infrastructure to support higher frequency operations will not only increase capacity but also significantly improve reliability and passenger experience. This is a crucial step towards modernising one of India’s oldest metro networks.”

₹223 Crore Adra Bridge Project to Strengthen Freight Corridors

In parallel, Indian Railways has approved a ₹223.58 crore project for the reconstruction and strengthening of Bridge No. 520 on the Madhukunda–Damodar section under South Eastern Railway. The project involves rebuilding the substructure of both up and down lines, along with associated yard remodelling and track works.

The existing bridge infrastructure, dating back to 1903 for the down line and 1965 for the up line, has shown signs of structural distress, necessitating urgent intervention. The section is a vital rail link between Asansol and Tatanagar and forms part of a key Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) feeder route as well as a major coal transport corridor.

With a high traffic density of 67 gross million tonnes (GMT), the route plays a crucial role in supporting industrial operations across the Durgapur–Asansol belt, including major facilities such as the IISCO steel plant, ACC cement plant, and multiple thermal power stations.

The bridge redevelopment is expected to enhance safety, improve operational efficiency, and ensure uninterrupted freight movement across this critical industrial region.

Strengthening India’s Rail Infrastructure

The combined investment reflects Indian Railways’ continued focus on modernisation, safety, and capacity expansion across both urban and freight networks. While the Kolkata Metro upgrade will cater to growing commuter demand with faster and more frequent services, the Adra bridge project will reinforce the backbone of industrial freight movement in eastern India.

As India’s transportation needs continue to grow, such targeted infrastructure upgrades are expected to play a pivotal role in building a more resilient, efficient, and future-ready rail network.