The much-hyped metro link from the airport in Kolkata is going to take off soon. Indeed, substantial progress is being made regarding the underground tunnels on Orange Line, said project head Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd. “Work is now in its crucial stage, which brings the metro system closer to achieving its final objective of linking New Garia with the airport,” said the head.
Taking a closer look at the present status of Kolkata Airport Metro Link and what it might bring along for residents in the near future:
Progress on Orange Line Metro Project
Amongst all public transport projects that have the world and this city waiting with bated breath, the Orange Line of the Kolkata Metro has its audience eagerly awaiting it. The underground section of the line, which will pass along the median of VIP Road, has moved ahead well, with Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd completing the basic construction work on the approach tunnel for a 72-meter stretch of the tunnel. It is a landmark feat on the ambitious project.
The next major phase would be the underground section that would bend towards the airport where all the final work on the tunnels would be done. The construction team has requested that there be a traffic adjustment to facilitate the continued development of the metro. New road space has been built to keep the traffic flowing well during this crucial phase and a five-day traffic trial is expected next week to assess the changes.
Phase-wise Construction to Avoid Traffic Disruption
The Orange Line Metro has been designed in such a way that it doesn’t disrupt the traffic on the VIP Road, which acts as the key artery joining the city to the airport. It has been taken up in three phases in such a manner that does not disturb the already congested place in the least.
The final phase will be underground with the elevated 29-meter metro corridor. The cut-and-cover method of construction will involve Afcons constructing a 300-metre ramp and 500 meters of twin tunnels. Cut-and-cover involves digging trenches and then constructing tunnels and covering them, allowing traffic to go on above ground.
Earlier this year, RVNL began the process of underground tunnel construction: Phase one involved building up the diaphragm wall D-wall and the top slab. The first part was located around 700 meters from the airport. It entailed designing a 100m road space on the Kolkata bound side of VIP Road while keeping it 12 metres in width. This road was to be kept free for permitting the construction of the tunnel with minimal traffic trouble.
Traffic Tests and Road Adjustments
During the project, RVNL is working closely with Bidhannagar Traffic Police and state Public Works Department (PWD) to manage traffic flow around the building zones. An important part of this process has involved the carrying out of traffic tests; these are needed to check how well the new traffic patterns work and if there are potential bottlenecks.
The trials are about to take place shortly; therefore there is diversion of the traffic for the 20-meter stretch of road, it reduces to 12 meters and so, under these changed circumstances, there will be sharp focus at the levels of the authority on traffic. So the trial shall iron out issues before jumping into further development. Once again the stretch is going to expand because the road is coming up to Kaikhali which takes off towards the original Kolkata-bound VIP Road.
Other than holding the trials for traffic, work on constructing the ramp continues with RVNL. It is proposed to dig the pile a little ahead of pier 846 where it is stipulated that the viaduct shall terminate. The barriers provided for the stage shall be shifted in advance forward towards Kaikhali, and it shall get traffic signal post adjustments wherein the vehicle has to accommodate a U-turn.
Major Project Milestones and Expectations
The Kolkata Airport Metro link project is at its full swing now, and most of the foundational work is already completed. With the completion of the metro line, a direct, yet effective route will be there from the city to the airport to minimize the time required in transit. This is believed to lessen the load of heavy traffic congestion along the path on VIP Road, which faces high-peak-hour jams daily.
The metro link forms part of the broader efforts made by Kolkata towards modernizing its public transport system. This will not only alleviate urban traffic woes but also grow the city as a metropolitan hub. The metro also boosts tourism and the local economy as access to the airport improves.
Conclusion: A Step Forward in Kolkata’s Public Transport
This will be the first metro link toward Kolkata’s airport, and it stands as a milestone in terms of development of infrastructures in the city. The efforts made to ensure smooth traffic flow during construction combined with strategic phases of delivery will bring this project onto track for the delivery of a modern, reliable transport system to make commuting easier and quicker for the locals and visitors.
Now, with traffic trials already underway and construction gathering pace, the residents will soon feel the benefits of Kolkata Airport Metro Link. The project is going to transform the very face of public transportation in Kolkata: an urgently needed makeover of the infrastructure in this city.
Refer:
TOI, Link to article
Also read : Delhi Metro’s New Corridor to Kundli, Haryana: A Key Development for Regional Connectivity