6 yrs later, Bengal govt unsure of funding for metro project

Senior Railway Ministry officials, however, said the state government has made no such request and the matter was not under discussion. ‘‘We don’t think there is any reluctance on part of the state government to pay their share. In fact, they have been quite regular in making the payments,’’ said Railway Board’s Member Engineering R R Jaruhar. ‘‘The project is now on course and we hope to finish it by June 2007,’’ he added.

According to Kolkata Metro officials, the West Bengal government has already paid Rs 116 crore for the project. ‘‘They have to pay another Rs 120 crore during the current year,’’ said an official.

Jaruhar added that he had been in touch with the West Bengal Chief Minister and other state officials and nothing of this sort has been conveyed. Asked about the delay, Jaruhar said a variety of reasons, ranging from the time taken for land acquisition to clearing encroachment on the route, led to the overall slow progress of work.

Difficult terrain, too, is being cited as one of the major reasons for delay. ‘‘As much as 7.5 kilometer out of the total stretch will run through the Tolly Nullah. Piers are coming up in the canal and that has taken a long time,’’ said Kolkata Metro Chief Operations Manager G K Mohanty.

Tollygunge to Garia will majorly be an elevated structure and the alignment will run along the Tolly Nullah.

There will be six stations en route, five of which will be elevated. The link will also connect Eastern Railway at Garia and will bring South 24-Parganas closer to Kolkata’s central business district. This is expected to reduce pressure on Sealdah South Suburban Section.