Circular Railway to be Converted into Metro ??

Lots and lots of Discussions regarding this ! Now I really feel to write a post on it !

So , here you will get every details , possibilities and possible modifications needed to convert the mighty Circular Railway into Metro !

So ... what is Circular Railway ? It is a 38.8 km long line with 20 stations , falling under Eastern Railway Zone !

But this isn't everything one needs to know about Circular Railway !

Wikipedia says .....

Previously a railway line existed between Dum Dum railway station to Ultadanga for the transport of wagons to Chitpur Goods Yard. For a considerable time, lines ran between B.B.D. Bagh and Majerhat for the transport of goods from the port area to the godowns (warehouses) of the Calcutta port along the Hooghly River. These were built during the early East Indian Railway Company (EIR) period when the river Hooghly was navigable to this area. Gradually with the silting of Hooghly, and its inaccessibility to bigger ships, these lines ceased to be used. With these existing lines being rehabilitated and small stretches of new track being laid in a few locations, a connection could be established between Dum Dum Junction and Prinsep Ghat along the bank of the Hooghly.

The line was commissioned from DumDum station to Princep Ghat on 16 August , 1984 .... just 2 months before India had its 1st Metro .

Though ,many are discussing if the line can be converted into Metro or a MRTS like Chennai .

My opinion is 'maybe!'

Presently , the line starts from Dum Dum . And Dum Dum is not in a position to hold another new Metro Line ! So , the plan is to terminate the integrated line at Kolkata Station or somewhere else which is well connected to other lines of Metro or Suburban Railway.

Say Kolkata station .... the future Mega Terminus of Kolkata !

Integrating the Full Line into Metro or MRTS will affect the route of the Express Trains . In such cases , the line may terminate at Kolkata .

Integration of Kolkata Station :-

1. The station will be used as a terminus for Local Trains other than Sealdah . For example , Naihati-Kolkata Local , Bongaon-Kolkata Local , Dankuni-Kolkata Local . Bringing more trains to Kolkata Station will make the integrated circular line rich in ridership . Also , the line will be joining Sealdah Main , Sealdah Cord , Sealdah South and Bongaon-Sealdah Line and the international railway corridor of Kolkata - Dhaka Moitree Express , making Kolkata Station more busy in train operations

2. Seperate terminal platforms needed for the Integrated Line , Local Trains , and express trains !

Integration of Tracks :- 

Presently , trains are run on a single track . But making the project successful will obviously need separate tracks for trains travelling in separate directions .

Stations :- 

All single platform stations will be having at least one more platform for smoother train operations . Stations like Sovabazar Ahiritola , Burrabazar , Eden Gardens , Khiderpur , Remount Road, Tollygunj must have at least 2 platforms .

Stations like Baghbazar , Lake Gardens , etc needs to be well fenced as they all have island platforms .

Problems likely to be Faced :-

1. Huge encroachment problems will be faced to lay another track parallel to the existing track .

2. Lots of spaces owned by Railways and State needed to construct platforms for terminal station at Kolkata station .

3. Lots of structures to be broken down to add another platform to single-platform stations and station buildings which will have new counters and ticket checking machines .

4. Some tracks at Majerhat , New Alipore and Kolkata Station needs to be permanently closed or imtegrated .

5. Land owned by KPT needed near Khiderpur to rise up another elevated track and platforms parallel to the elevated viaduct of the Khidirpur-Remount Road-Majerhat stretch .

6. Rakes to be either refurbished into Air Conditioned ones , or new rakes to be bought with world class facilities that will be eligible to serve as a Semi Metro Rail !

7. Separate Depot needed . Existing sidings can be integrated into depots , or the existing Narkeldanga Carshed can be used .

8. Upgradation of tracks and entire signalling system .



Here are some Graphical Representations of modifications:-


Please click the images for better quality.

People won't have direct access to Sealdah South Section from Sealdah Main , Chord and Bongaon lines .

There is a very little chance of the line's integration . Forget about metro ,but you may hope for an air conditioned semi- luxurious MRTS !

That's all for today ! Please share my posts to make everyone aware of Mass Rapid Transits ! Have a nice day , Bye Bye !

------- MetroRail Blog