12 Kolkata: The railways ministry has approved Metro Railway's proposal to add another stop for the Purple line — the Eden Gardens metro station. It has sanctioned an additional Rs 1,000 crore for the corridor's 1.6km extension, taking the current project cost to Rs 10,360 crore.
The terminal Eden Gardens station of the erstwhile Joka-Esplanade (Purple) line will be built opposite Eden Gardens' Gate 1, near the Mohun Bagan football ground, sources said.
TOI on Jan 12 reported on the proposal to extend the Joka-Esplanade (Purple) line to Eden Gardens. This not only benefits cricket and football enthusiasts but numerous commuters who slog it out to reach their workplaces around Strand Road, Babughat, Calcutta High Court and BBD Bag every day. They can readily access Eden Gardens Metro station to connect with the city's larger metro network (the North-South or Blue line and the East-West Metro or Green line). The initial scheme envisaged linking Eden Gardens to Esplanade via an extended subway.
Until now, the Purple Line's alignment covered 14.4 km, linking Joka on the city's southern fringes with Esplanade in central Kolkata. With an additional 1.6 km, the line spans 16 km between Joka and Eden Gardens, comprising eight elevated stations and five underground ones.
Currently, approximately 5 km — from Mominpore to Esplanade — is underground. According to the revised scheme, the underground section will encompass 6.6 km. The construction methodology for the extra 1.6 km to Eden Gardens remains undisclosed.
"Tunnel boring machines, one of which has already arrived in the city, are designated to excavate and construct 2.7 km from Kidderpore to Park Street, beyond which the construction methodology would be cut-and-cover. The scheme is subject to modifications," an official said.
"Eden Gardens becomes the 13th station along the corridor," an official stated. However, he acknowledged uncertainty regarding the construction of Kidderpore station, as land at the Alipore Bodyguard Lines remains unavailable.
"Everyone in the city agrees that Purple Line would be invaluable for thousands, especially those from Joka, Behala, Kidderpore, and Ekbalpore. Their aspirations cannot be thwarted due to a land impasse. The Eden Gardens extension enhances the line's viability," an official said.
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