Kolkata: Trains to run along both East-West tunnels soon

KOLKATA: Work has started on the second set of platforms at Sealdah station that will pave the way for use of the west-bound tunnel to ply trains between Sealdah and Phoolbagan and subsequently allow East-West Metro authorities to augment services on the 16km Sealdah-Sector V segment.
Since only the east-bound tunnel is in use between Phoolbagan and Sealdah now, one rake can ply on this stretch. While Sealdah-bound trains use the west-bound tunnel till Phoolbagan, it thereafter moves into the east-bound tunnel that is meant for trains heading to Sector V. This train then halts at Sealdah before returning through the same tunnel.
At Sealdah, KMRC had planned double discharge platforms for both east-bound and west-bound tunnels to cater to the high number of passengers projected to board and alight here since it is a major interchange with the suburban train network. But since only the east-bound tunnel was being used, one the double-discharge platforms on either side of this tunnel was in operation till now. With KMRC now planning to put the west-bound tunnel into operation, efforts are on to complete the double-discharge platforms.
In the Sector V-Sealdah stretch that is operational, only Sealdah will have a double-discharge platform to facilitate swift boarding and alighting of passengers. Two other Metro stations — Esplanade and Howrah — will also have double discharge platforms.
“When Sealdah station was commissioned last year, platforms 1A and 1B on the east-bound track were readied for the commercial operations. Now we have started work to commission platforms 2A and 2B of the Howrah-bound tunnel,” a Railways engineer said.