East-West metro expansion: PM Modi likely to launch Howrah–Esplanade route this week

Will the East-West Metro logjam finally clear on Friday? Metro officials are hopeful that the Bowbazar section will become operational, thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Passengers share the same anticipation. Just a few more days to wait. Direct service from Howrah Maidan to Esplanade on the East-West Metro could start from Friday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the state on Friday, July 18. The Bowbazar Metro Station on the Howrah Maidan - Esplanade route may be inaugurated at that time.

Although not on the announced schedule, there is a possibility that the metro from Esplanade to Sealdah will be inaugurated during his visit to the state, according to a source. He may inaugurate the Kolkata Metro's Bowbazar area metro on July 18, Friday. 

A Metro Rail official, who did not wish to be named, said, 'The Railway Ministry has sent a letter to the PMO requesting the inauguration of the metro from Esplanade to Sealdah during the Prime Minister's visit. However, we cannot say anything definitively about this right now.' However, it is worth mentioning in this context that all kinds of tests have been conducted on the metro rail from Esplanade to Sealdah. A month ago, the Commissioner of Railway Safety gave permission to commercially operate the Green Line in the Bowbazar area. So there is no obstacle for Metro Rail to start this route permanently. According to the East-West Metro list, the distance from Howrah Maidan to Sector Five is 16.5 km. Currently, truncated service is running from Howrah Maidan to Esplanade and Sealdah to Sector Five due to the Bowbazar issue.

Commuters will benefit when the metro starts running from Howrah Maidan to Sector Five as they will be able to cover long distances in a short time. Once the metro starts running from Howrah Maidan to Sector Five, it will take only 20 minutes to go from Howrah Station to Sealdah. It will take 35-40 minutes or less to go from Howrah Maidan to Sector Five.

According to the East-West Metro list, the fare from Howrah Maidan to Sector Five is Rs 30. It is reported that you will have to pay Rs 30 to travel 16.5 kilometers. In other words, a long distance can be traveled in less time at a low cost.