By IANS,
Kolkata : Kolkata Metro’s automatic signalling system became operational Sunday, enhancing the transit system’s safety and paving way for increased frequency of trains.
“The new Rs.12-crore signalling system became fully operational today. The project was completed within a record time of four months without disrupting the daily train services,” Pratyush Ghosh, spokesman, Kolkata Metro Railway Corporation, said.
With the new system in place, the time gap between two trains will be reduced to five minutes.
“Let the system become stable. We will observe its operation for two weeks and take a call on increasing the frequency of trains,” said Ghosh.
The project was completed in a phased manner. The first phase between Kavi Subhas (New Garia) to Mahanayak Uttam Kumar (Tollygunge) stations became operational April 8.
From March, weekday services have been increased to 270 trains from 236 trains.
Beginning with five stations spread over 3.4 km in 1984, the Kolkata Metro now connects 23 stations, traversing 25.13 km.