KOLKATA METRO

KOLKATA METROSubmitted By:-Azhar AyyubAshish PandeySaurav JuyalSiddharth PathakKolkata MetroThe only metro service in the country functioning directly under the Indian Railways, the foundation for this was laid as early as 1972. Delays due to non-availability of sufficient funds, shifting of underground utilities, court injunctions and irregular supply of vital materials led to the commencement of services being pushed to 1984, after which progressive construction followed leading to the completion of the services of the entire stretch in 2005.Kolkata faced a transport problem with only 8% of the land being available for road transport( 25-35% available in other cities) The metro has been quite a hit with the residents in Kolkata considering the number of passengers which has expansively increased in the past years.Large scale expansion projects (covering 87 kms) have now been planned and in its modernization program.

The Kolkata Metro, run by the Indian Railways, is the oldest underground system in India since 1984,It runs parallel to the River Hooghly and spans the north-south length of the city covering a distance of 22.3km.

The new proposed east west corridor is hoped to be a big blessing towards Kolkata traffic. The 33km long network will connect the other important hub of Kolkata resulting to a better Rapid transport system.Construction of Kolkata metro during 1984 was a huge challenge towards Indian engineers. It was constructed with the collaboration of a Japanese company The most amazing aspect of the east-west connector is the rail network will pass beneath the Hooghly river. First of its kind in India

Kolkata Metro RAILWAY Number of existing lines 1 Number of stations - 24 Track gauge - Broad Gauge. Coaches per train - 8 Maximum permissible speed - 55km/h Average speed 30km/h Voltage - 750 V D.C. Travel Time - 41 minutes (approx.) Total estimated cost of the project - Rs. 1825 crores (approx.)

KOLKATA METROROUTE MAP

FUTURE PROJECTS AND PLANSRs 4874.58 crores project to connect Kolkata with Howrah by an underwater metro line .

The total length will be 14.67km (8.9km underground and 5.77km elevated).

Metro will run under 100 ft. of Hooghly River (first underwater metro in India).

Role of metro for traffic in Kolkata

Growth of traffic:The year wise number of passengers who travelled on the Metro Railway for last 10 years.

Traffic condition before the introduction of Kolkata metro was a havoc

Recently there has been proposal of extending the metro. Connecting east west corridor. And another parallel line to the north south corridor.

Due to maximum cars, buses, taxis, bikes and construction on road takes too much time to transport.

Traffic on roadTraffic in Kolkata:

Calcuttans are aggressive commuters, but with a sense of humour. The local and suburban rails and buses, as well as the undergroundKolkata Metrorailway are usually packed during office hours

. The practice of "reserving" public seats by daily passengers is widespread.Share taxisare a common occurrence for travel to and from railway stations and such.

The practice ofcar poolsis also growing after the construction of theEastern Metropolitan Bypassand the emergence of the CBD inBidhan Nagar.

Another phenomenon of Kolkata traffic is the Auto- rikshaws. Auto- rikshaws or autos as they are acronymed are small contraptions on the roads. They have three wheels, and are extremely agile. The regulation is three passengers at back, one in front along with the driver

..This regulation is disregarded with impunity and often six or more people get in. Autos ply on fixed routes and the fare ranges from Rs.4 to Rs. 15, depending on the distance covered.

Another phenomenon of Kolkata traffic is the Auto- rikshaws. Auto- rikshaws or autos as they are acronymed are small contraptions on the roads.

They have three wheels, and are extremely agile. The regulation is three passengers at back, one in front along with the driver.

This regulation is disregarded with impunity and often six or more people get in. Autos ply on fixed routes and the fare ranges from Rs.4 to Rs. 15, depending on the distance covered.

Merits and demerits of Kolkata metro

Merits:In short metro is a time saver simply transport systemIts is a safety transporterMetro is faster access to different placesIt solves time schedule Demerits:But present day Kolkata metro having some problems Cost efficiency Maximum capacitiesThe problems of Kolkata Metro

Financial viability:The biggest problem being faced by the Kolkata Metro Railway is that it is incurring loses, which are increasing every year. The total working expenses for 2000-01 were US $20.12 million .Low Ridership:The growth of passenger traffic has been far below the estimated mark. The figure stood at 55.8 million during 1999-2000.Sensitive Ridership:The commuters in Kolkata are very sensitive to the level of fare. Perhaps, it is because of the primacy of workers in the city and other socio-economic factors. The fares for city buses and trams are very low. In such, circumstances, it is very difficult to raise the fares, frequently and substantially.

Latest Projects & Plans

1)Dum Dum- Dakshineswar ExtensionThe plan to extend the line in the north fromDumdumto Dakshineswar (5.2km) is under execution. The construction of this line started in February 2010. This line has also been planned to be extended tillBarrackpore(12.5km) in the north.The stations on this stretch will be -Ma Sarada Devi(Noapara)Swami Vivekananda(Baranagar)DakshineswarThe extension toBarrackporebeyond Dakshineswar will have the following proposed stations -KamarhatiAgarparaPanihatiTitagarhBarrackpore

Noapara- Barasat Link

The project to build a 18.5km long line from Noapara toBarasatviaNetaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airportis also sanctioned and construction work has commenced on this stretch.The proposed stations on this route are[-NoaparaDum Dum CantonmentJessore RoadBimanbandarBiratiMichael NagarNew BarrackporeMadhyamgramHridaypurBarasat

Dum Dum-Airport Link

This is a planned link to connect the Metro to the Airport. This route will run over a length of 8.24km on the Up section, and 6.40km on the Down section.The proposed stations are -Up SectionDum DumNoaparaRamakrishna PalliShanti NagarBimanbandar (Airport).Down SectionBimanbandar (Airport)Jessore RoadDum Dum CantonmentDum Dum

Joka-B.B.D. Bagh Link

A 16.72km long metro line from Joka (in extreme South Kolkata) and B.B.D Bagh (in central Kolkata) is also under construction . It is being constructed by RVNL and the tender has gone to Simplex Infrastructures.The proposed stations on this route are-JokaThakurpukurSakherbazarBehala ChowrastaBehala BazarTaratallaMajherhatThe proposed Park Street and Esplanade stations won't be the same as the ones on the north-south Metro route. The Joka-BBD Bag route will meet the north-south services at the Central station, said a senior Metro official. This is where the upcoming East-West Metro is likely to meet the two routes as well. Passengers can take different routes from this station

MominpurKidderporeHastingsPark StreetEsplanadeBBD Bag

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