Kolkatans cheer new route train on its maiden journey

“I have heard about the extension of the Metro to Garia for a long time. Today,I see it finally happening. I am not a regular traveler on Metro but I have waited for hours just to experience this ride today. I am so excited,especially with one of the stations being named after my hero Uttam Kumar,” said Samapti Basu,a resident of Chanditala in Tollygunge.

From Mahanayak Uttam Kumar (Tollygunge) Metro station,the train left for Kavi Nazrul (Garia Bazaar) Metro station.

In the 5.887-km route of the 8.657-km extension,the train passes through four stations,including Netaji (Kudghat),Masterda Surya Sen (Bansdroni) and Geetanjali (Naktala).

The extension project was sanctioned in 1999-2000 during Mamata Banerjee’s earlier tenure as the Railway Minister. At a cost of Rs 1,032 crore,the major part of the railway track in this section has been constructed on an elevated structure,adding six new stations and bringing South 24-Parganas closer to Kolkata’s main centre.

Metro authorities said to run the new service,13 new air-conditioned rakes from Integral Coach Factory,Perambur,were needed of which two are expected to be acquired by March 2010,with the rest coming by September next year.

The fare for the new stretch is relatively modest. Up to five km it is Rs 4,from five km to 10 km it is Rs 6,from 10 km to 15 km it is Rs 8,from 15 km to 20 km it is Rs 10 and for more than 20 km,the fare is Rs 12.

For many like Shankar Dey,a resident of Garia who goes to Naopara for office,the new Metro service is a relief as it will make commuting easier.