Kolkata: Kolkata Metro trains on the Blue Line will now start switching tracks at Shahid Khudiram (Briji) station instead of Kavi Subhash (New Garia) to save on travel time.
Shahid Khudiram has been serving as the southern terminal of the Kolkata metro‘s Blue Line since 28 July:
This was following the suspension of passenger services to Kavi Subhash due to cracks in the platform pillars.
However, an empty train still has to travel to Kavi Subhash before switching to the Dakshineswar-bound tracks.
This entails an extra 1.6 km travel one way, taking about three minutes. This adds around six minutes for each reversal.
In light of this, a reversal point is planned at Shahid Khudiram. However, this will require an infrastructure upgrade, including signalling.
Terminal stations are typically equipped for train reversals. The razing and rebuilding of the UP platform at Kavi Subhash will take at least nine months.
Once demolition begins, it will be difficult for trains to change direction at the station.
Since the closure of Kavi Subhash, Shahid Khudiram has seen a rise in footfall, doubling to reach 20,000 daily.
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