Decks cleared for metro rail expansion projects in Kolkata

In a much needed boost to the city's transport network, major blocks in the expansion of various metro rail projects have been resolved, giving rise to hope that some would be starting operations within two year's time.
According to a senior officer at the state Secretariat Nabanna, the expansion of the existing Metro railway from Kabi Subhas-Noapara till the city airport is expected to be completed by another one and half years' time and operational within two years.
"The rehabilitation programme by South Dumdum Municipality is complete. We are hoping that the expansion of the existing metro lines from Kabi Subhas to Noapara till the airport will be over within one and half years," the official said.

He said the expansion was part of the extension of the Kabi Subhas-Noapara metro till Barasat.
The East-West Metro project, from Salt Lake's Sector V till Howrah Maidan, is expected to be operational till Sealdah within another one and half year's time, he said.
The official stated that although most of the hindrances in case of the Joka-BBD Bagh Metro project have been resolved, "the state has written to the Centre requesting amendment of the Acts regarding construction close to heritage structures in certains points in the city".
"Problems have been addressed but now we are facing issues regarding construction near heritage buildings... As per the Acts, one cannot dig or run a construction within 100 metres of a heritage building. But when the Joka metro line reaches BBD Bag area, we have quite a few heritage buildings. So we need amendment of the Act. We have already written to the Centre regarding this," he said.