The ongoing tussle between the Railways and the Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation (KMRC) over transfer of land at Howrah and Sealdah stations is threatening to delay the execution of the underground section of the East-West Metro.
KMRC, a joint venture between the Union urban development ministry and the West Bengal government, is developing the Rs 4,676-crore East-West Metro project that will connect Salt Lake to Howrah.
KMRC officials have indicated that, despite earlier assurances from the Railways, land has not been allocated for the construction of underground stations at Howrah and Sealdah. “We needed Railway land during the construction period and officials up to the GM (general manager) level had agreed. But nothing has moved forward so far. The matter needs to be resolved at the highest level,” an official said.
There is a requirement of about 8,000 sq ft each at Howrah and Sealdah stations, which KMRC officials add is only temporary as the land will be given back to the Railways after the construction is over in 3-4 years.
“Eastern Railway had agreed to divert utilities at these stations for which we had paid them Rs 5 crore in advance. A total of Rs 30 crore has been set aside for such work at these stations,” the official added.
But lack of progress in transferring the land has meant that the overall execution of the East-West Metro, envisioned as a show-piece transport project of the West Bengal government, could be delayed. The overground section of the project, however, is likely to be completed on time, KMRC officials added.
Of the total 13.70 km route of the East West Metro, only 5.70 km will be elevated and the remaining 8 km will be underground.
There is a whiff of political rivalry in the ongoing stalemate as Railway minister Mamata Banerjee, also the leader of West Bengal's principal Opposition party, had previously lobbied for the East-West Metro to be transferred under the purview of her ministry.
The Centre, however, had vetoed that proposal and kept the West Bengal government and the Union urban development ministry in control of the project. Incidentally, KMRC officials claimed that land under the state government's control had been transferred without any problems.
