KOLKATA (Metro Rail News): Kolkata Metro Orange Line has overcome a major construction challenge at Chingrighata after more than six years of delays. Completing the 366-meter viaduct gap could now allow Metro services between New Garia and Sector V.
Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL) is handling the 32-kilometer New Garia-Airport corridor. On Sunday, they placed the final 31-meter concrete deck slab at Chingrighata. This viaduct work closes a long-standing gap at one of the busiest intersections on the route.
Chingrighata work completed in 90 days
The construction team finished launching the girder at the intersection in about 90 days. The new viaduct rises around 12 meters above the road. RVNL hoisted the national flag on the newly completed viaduct on Saturday to celebrate this construction milestone. Finishing this section is significant because Chingrighata was one of the biggest obstacles to the Kolkata Metro’s Orange Line progress.
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New Garia-Sector V services could start by December
General Manager of Kolkata Metro, Prem Sagar Gupta recently mentioned that the organization is working toward a December 31 deadline to open the Beleghata (Metropolitan), IT Centre (Sector V) section. Once this section opens, commuters could travel from New Garia to Sector V in about 30 minutes. The Orange Line is part of the larger 32-kilometer New Garia-Airport Metro corridor, which RVNL is implementing.
How the Chingrighata bottleneck was resolved
Construction at the intersection faced several technical and administrative challenges. The main issue focused on Pier 318, which was planned near the center of the Chingrighata crossing. The timeline shows the prolonged delays:
- 2020: Construction work at Chingrighata faced difficulties.
- August 2020: IIT Kharagpur approved the design for the proposed Pier 318.
- May 2023: The state government issued the NOC for constructing the pier.
- December 2024: RVNL completed a new road that helped divert traffic during construction.
- February 2, 2025: RVNL awaited a traffic block to carry out the needed work.
- Mid-May 2026: Concrete girders were erected across the crossing over two weekends.
- August 2026: The final deck slab was placed, completing the 366-meter viaduct gap.
Police clearance was another hurdle
Even with technical approvals and the state NOC, RVNL could not immediately continue with construction. Traffic clearance from Kolkata Police was delayed for about 15 months. This matter also arose before the Calcutta High Court, which frequently sought updates on the situation. The eventual traffic arrangements enabled RVNL to carry out the girder launching and finish the remaining viaduct work.
Clearing the Chingrighata bottleneck removes one of the longest-running construction challenges for the Orange Line. If the remaining work and approvals stay on schedule, the New Garia, Sector V section could offer a much quicker connection between south Kolkata and the city’s eastern IT and business hub.
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