The Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation (KMRC) has begun the final phase of work on the East-West Metro corridor by initiating the closure of the twin tunnel shafts at the Esplanade station. These 98-ft.-deep shafts were originally created to launch tunnel boring machines Chundi and Urvi in early 2019. The sealing work is expected to be completed by July, according to KMRC officials.
The completion of this task brings the 16.6 km East-West Metro stretch from Sector V to Howrah Maidan close to full-scale operations. The Esplanade-Sealdah segment, which connects the operational Sector V–Sealdah and Esplanade–Howrah Maidan sections, is now ready for revenue service.
This progress follows the inauguration of the 4.8 km under-river stretch between Esplanade and Howrah Maidan by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March last year. Contractor ITD-ITD Cementation took calculated risks by altering the traditional work sequence—allowing civil works, train trials, and safety installations to proceed simultaneously.
The shaft closure includes building four slabs over each tunnel, comprising hatch covers and concrete layers for emergency access. The west-bound shaft size was reduced for better integration with the East-West and North-South lines at Esplanade.