41-year-old North-South Metro set to undergo track overhaul

Kolkata: After 41 years, the city's lifeline, the North-South Metro, will undergo significant track overhaul. Metro Railway has invited tenders for a "thorough rail renewal" valued at Rs 4.2 cr for 9.1 track km of the Blue Line between Dakshineswar and New Garia, wherever needed.Sources in Metro Railway, which operates the city's rapid transit network, revealed that a Rs 4.2 crore bid has been floated for "thorough rail renewal" of the Blue Line's (North-South corridor) 9.1 track km between Dakshineswar and New Garia (Kavi Subhas station), at various stretches. Sources said a 3.4 track km section needs immediate attention, and the carrier has decided to address the restoration of these sections immediately.The project involves the replacement of existing rails with 60 kg rails on ballastless track across underground, surface and elevated sections. The work is to be completed within 12 months. The scope includes removal and insertion of rails and fittings, drilling and cutting of rails, epoxy grouting of inserts, and refixing of components after lubrication. It also covers handling, lifting and transportation of rails, sleepers and track fittings.The work mostly involves replacing the ageing tracks with ballastless ones. Ballastless track (or slab track) is a modern railway track structure that replaces traditional loose stone ballast with a rigid concrete or asphalt base, enhancing stability or durability. It features rails fastened to concrete slabs or direct concrete, offering lower maintenance and higher speed capabilities.Officials said Blue Line trains are currently running at an average speed of 55 kmph instead of the optimum 80 through the tunnel. Motormen, they said, are forced to reduce the speed due to the worn-out tracks in several stretches. In some sections, the tracks have subsided, and motormen must negotiate these "obstructions" carefully at extremely reduced speed. Officials said it was not as if the tracks have not been maintained. "They are routinely cared for, but like other systems in the four-decade-old metro, ageing has happened," an official said.Metro is also drawing up a comprehensive plan for rehabilitation of tracks, including renewal of rail, between Noapara and Tollygunge (Mahanayak Uttam Kumar station). "For thorough rehabilitation of tracks and other aspects, funds are expected to be sanctioned during later part of the year," an official said. Rehabilitation of the entire 26 km of tracks from Dakshineswar to New Garia will take three to four years, officials said.Ever since terminal Kavi Subhas station was shut on July 28 last year, Metro has been focusing on refurbishment of various systems of the 41-year-old corridor.