Kolkata, July 11: The Kolkata Metro Railway has achieved a significant milestone by completing the tunneling work for the underground section of the Purple Line between Kidderpore and Victoria. This success was marked when the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) ‘Durga’ achieved a breakthrough at the proposed Victoria Metro Station.
The tunneling work took exactly one year to complete, starting on July 10, 2025. The TBM will now advance towards Park Street beneath Kolkata’s surface. The existing Blue Line already connects Park Street to Esplanade and surrounding areas.
The breakthrough was celebrated around 10:30 AM in the presence of Kolkata Metro’s General Manager, Prem Sagar Gupta. Notable attendees included the Consul General of Nepal, the Commissioner of Kolkata Municipal Corporation, the Police Commissioner of Howrah, and senior officials from Metro Railway, Rail Vikas Nigam Limited, and the working agency L&T.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared a video of the breakthrough on social media platform ‘X’, stating, “A remarkable example of engineering beneath the city. TBM Durga has achieved a major milestone for Kolkata Metro’s Purple Line. Congratulations to the team.”
A senior metro official remarked, “The successful operation of TBM Durga showcases engineering excellence, meticulous planning, teamwork, and the dedicated efforts of everyone involved in this project. This achievement is a crucial step towards enhancing Kolkata’s urban transport infrastructure, providing faster, safer, and more sustainable metro connectivity.”
The General Manager of Metro Railway praised the dedication and teamwork of the project staff. He noted that the tunneling work was completed safely and efficiently while maintaining high standards of quality and safety, without disrupting surface traffic.
The Purple Line will connect Joka in the southwest of Kolkata to Esplanade. The project faced delays due to land acquisition issues and approvals from local military authorities overseeing the grounds. Some clubs located on the grounds had to be temporarily relocated to ensure no damage occurred to the iconic Victoria Memorial.
The Joka-Esplanade metro corridor features an elevated viaduct from Joka to Kidderpore, with the subsequent route running underground. Operations between Joka and Majierehat have already commenced, providing connectivity to thousands of passengers. Upon completion, this project will benefit millions living along Diamond Harbour Road and nearby areas.
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