Vibrations spook residents of Bowbazar but experts allay fears
Times of India | 5 September 2025
Kolkata: Residents of Durga Pithuri Lane in the Bowbazar cave-in zone have expressed concerns over mild vibrations they are experiencing when metro trains are passing through the tunnels below.
However, there has been no official complaints or visible damage to the buildings. The Metro authorities, who are monitoring the situation with instruments to measure vibrations and the slightest hint of subsidence, have allayed fears and said the mild vibrations do not put residents at risk.
A 600-metre stretch in Bowbazar experienced multiple incidents of subsidence between Aug 31, 2019, and May 11, 2023. While 25 buildings collapsed, more than 50 buildings developed cracks and required repairs.
While a portion of the tunnels in this stretch has been reinforced with steel rings, rubber cushions have also been installed at the base of the tracks to reduce vibration. Various instruments have been placed in the tunnel to monitor the slightest soil subsidence.
But having experienced subsidence earlier, residents are on tenterhooks. Residents told TOI that the vibrations can be felt even when sitting on the ‘rowaks' before old houses in Durga Pithuri Lane and Madan Dutta Lane.
The twin metro tunnels pass right underneath these buildings. Senior citizen Kamalesh Roy returned to his almost 150-year-old house at 5, Durga Pithuri Lane on Aug 11 after being displaced for six years.
"Till now, some repair work is left to be done. Ever since the Sealdah-Howrah Metro link became operational, we are feeling the vibrations. We fear they will weaken the structure of our house further. I have informed the Metro engineers about the issue," he said.
Gopal Pal, a worker at a gold workshop at 13A Madan Dutta Lane, said, "It is not a tremor but a vibration that we feel when Metro trains move beneath our premises." Other residents, however, said all houses felt vibrations when trucks laden with goods pass through BB Ganguly Street. They used to feel it whenever trams plied on the stretch as well.