• Source:JND
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Kolkata Metro: Kolkata Metro Services on the Joka to Majerhat stretch will be temporarily suspended for two days, starting from Wednesday, April 24. The metro railway authority of the city conveyed this information through a press release, stating that no trains will operate on the Purple Line during this period. The suspension is due to essential signal upgradation work on the southwest corridor of Kolkata's metro network.

The Joka-Esplanade corridor, which is one of the busiest routes in the city's metro system, is expected to be affected by this suspension. The interruption is necessary as the metro authority undertakes the conversion of the existing electronic interlocking (EI) signalling system to the more advanced communication-based train control (CBTC) signalling system.

The official press release explained, "Due to operational exigencies related to the conversion of the electronic interlocking (EI) signalling system to the CBTC signalling system, Metro services on the Joka to Majerhat stretch of the Purple Line will remain suspended on Wednesday and Thursday. There will be no commercial services in the Joka-Majerhat stretch on these two days."

Currently, the Purple Line operates on the electronic interlocking (EI) signalling system, enabling trains to run simultaneously on both up and down tracks. The Kolkata Metro Railway Authority has decided to upgrade this basic system to the high-tech CBTC signalling system, which allows for automatic train operations through telecommunication technology.

Additionally, apart from the 8-kilometre-long Joka-Majerhat stretch, the Orange Line connecting New Garia with Kolkata airport will also undergo the CBTC signalling system upgrade. Siemens has been entrusted with the installation of this advanced technology on both metro routes. The conversion work requires a minimum of two days to ensure a smooth transition.