THE GOVERNMENT of West Bengal has commissioned Delhi Metro Rail Corp to develop proposals for an east-west metro line in Kolkata, linking IR’s principal stations at Sealdah and Howrah.

The 22 km line would start from Rajarhat in the east and run through Kankurgachi, Sealdah and Mankharan before tunnelling under the Hooghly River to Howrah and New Dasnagar. There would be 18 stations, of which eight would be underground, including an interchange with the existing north-south line. Total cost is put at Rs50bn.

The Rs30m study is to be completed within six months; the state and central governments will then have to consider how to fund construction of the east-west route. CEO of the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority Alapan Bandhopadhaya said the state government was looking at forming a new company to develop the line.

  • Kolkata Metro expects to complete work this year on a 3·8 km extension of the north-south line from Dum Dum to Kolkata Airport, costing Rs1·1bn. Interchange will be provided at Dum Dum with IR’s Sealdah - Pricep Ghat - Majerhat line, which is due to be electrified by the end of this year.

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