India, Kolkata: Kolkata Metro is strengthening its medium-voltage traction network with the construction of seven new substations along the Blue Line between Dakshineswar and Sahid Khudiram. The development is designed to improve power availability, reduce operational bottlenecks, and support electrification upgrades across India’s oldest metro system.
According to project officials, traction substations will be installed at Kalighat, Netaji Bhawan, Maidan, Esplanade, MG Road, Sovabazar–Sutanuti, and between Belgachia and Shyambazar. Once complete, the Blue Line will follow the same supply architecture seen on newer corridors, with a dedicated substation at each station.
Two additional traction substations are planned at Chandni Chowk and Geetanjali (Naktala). The system at Chandni Chowk is expected to help clear rake congestion between Esplanade and Central by improving traction and auxiliary power availability.
Alongside traction upgrades, the metro is modernising its tunnel ventilation system. The network is moving from continuous 110 kW centrifugal ventilation, originally designed for non-air-conditioned trains, to a digitally controlled Tunnel Ventilation System (TVS) with fire and smoke management capabilities.
The new axial fans can operate for two hours at 250°C and activate automatically based on temperature, smoke or CO₂ levels, supporting improved evacuation strategies and electrical protection in underground stations. The cooling upgrade is being carried out by a Japanese engineering subsidiary, whose specialists have begun site assessments at Jatin Das Park.
According to the operator, the ventilation modernisation reduces annual power consumption by half and could cut carbon emissions by about 12,300 t per year, while the expanded traction supply network will increase reliability and redundancy for the region’s rapidly growing urban rail system.
Explore more news from India.
