"Kolkata Metro to Begin Trial Runs on Ruby-Beleghata Stretch"

Metro Railway authorities are set to commence trial runs on the newly extended stretch of the Orange Line, covering the segment from Ruby Crossing to Beleghata station along E M Bypass, starting Saturday. Currently, commercial services are available on the New Garia to Ruby Crossing segment of the corridor, which spans 5.4 km and includes five stations: Kavi Subhash, Satyajit Ray, Jyotirindra Nandi, Kavi Sukanta, and Hemanta Mukhopadhyay.

The extension offers commuters a seamless interchange between the Blue Line (Dakshineswar-New Garia) and the Orange Line at Kavi Subhash station, providing greater connectivity and flexibility. The trial run on the extended stretch aims to test the system's readiness for commercial operations from Kavi Subhash to Beleghata in the near future, according to Metro Railway.

The extended portion from Hemanta Mukhopadhyay to Beleghata covers a distance of 4.39 km and includes four stations: VIP Bazar, Ritwik Ghatak, Barun Sengupta, and Beleghata. On April 27, a single empty rake will be used to conduct the trial run on both the UP and DN lines, assessing the operational capability and identifying any adjustments needed for safety and efficiency.

This move follows a recent inspection by the Commissioner of Railway Safety, who provided various recommendations for infrastructure improvements along the stretch. Once the trial runs are completed and all necessary safety checks are satisfied, the Metro Railway plans to commence commercial services along this new section, further expanding Kolkata Metro's reach and convenience for commuters in the city.

ET