• Source:JND
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Kolkata Metro Update: In a breakthrough after three years, the Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation (KMRL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Consulate General of Nepal to exchange 409.53 square metres of land, which fell under the jurisdiction of the Consulate, thereby giving a major infrastructural push to the Esplanade-Mominpur underground stretch, which was stalled for a long time. The patch of land was lying adjacent to the 526.34 square metres of adjoining land, which belonged to the Metro Railway. 

“The 409.53 sq metres of land is urgently required for the construction of the ramp between Mominpur and Khidirpur. Prior to this, several meetings were held between 2022–2025 among the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Government of Nepal), Ministry of External Affairs (Government of India), Metro Railway and RVNL at Kathmandu, New Delhi and Kolkata to ensure smooth exchange of this land,” said a metro official.

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Purple Line: Details

  • Length: Operational length- 7.75 KM. Overall length- 26.88 KM. 

  • Status: Phase I of the line is operational from Joka to Majerhat. The next phase, Majerhat to Esplanade, is under construction and expected to be completed around 2028.

  • Terminals: Currently operational terminals are Joka and Majerhat. Once completed, the full length will run from IIM Joka to Eden Gardens. 

  • The line features both elevated and underground sections.

  • Layout: The line features both elevated and underground sections.

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Station List:

  • Joka

  • Thakurpukur

  • Sakher Bazar

  • Behala Chowrasta

  • Behala Bazar

  • Taratala

  • Majerhat

  • Mominpore

  • Khidderpore

  • Victoria

  • Park Street

  • Esplanade


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Kolkata Metro Update: Why Did The Issue Arise?

The issue arose because a plot belonging to the Nepal Consulate is located near Mominpur. The plan includes a ramp between Mominpur and Khidderpore, which falls below this land. Subsequently, railways began efforts to transfer adjacent land under their possession to the Nepal Consulate.

After several rounds of meetings, the Government of Nepal gave a nod to the exchange. The MoU was signed at the RVNL Model Room at the Victoria Station site in Kolkata by Jhakka Prasad Acharya, Consul General of Nepal, Kolkata; S K Dubey, Deputy Chief Engineer, Metro Railway; and Vipin Kumar, Chief Project Manager, RVNL, in the presence of Ashish Middha, Director and Head of Branch Secretariat, MEA, Government of India.

Additionally, several challenges had cropped up during the construction phase, with tenants, shop owners, and others moving towards the Calcutta High Court and later the Supreme Court against the acquisition process. However, in the span of three years, all these cases were settled in the court, which has fast-tracked the process of construction after several delays. 

(With inputs from PTI)

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