The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday suggested that all stakeholders meet to resolve the impasse over police clearance for construction of a viaduct on the Kavi Subhash–Airport Metro line at Chingrighata, across the Eastern Metropolitan Bypass.
Completion of the viaduct will allow commercial services to begin between Kavi Subhash and Sector V Metro stations, easing travel for thousands of commuters.
A division bench presided over by Justice Sujoy Paul, with Justice Smita Das De, said the issue should be addressed in “larger public interest.” The court directed counsels representing the Metro Railway, Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd. (RVNL), the West Bengal government and Kolkata Police to inform it on Thursday of the date of a proposed meeting and the names of officers authorized to take decisions.
“During the course of hearing, the court suggested that in order to solve the problem which is in larger public interest, why not competent officers of all stakeholders sit together to find out a solution,” the bench noted in its order.
The counsels welcomed the proposal and agreed to update the court on scheduling. The bench said it will fix a date and time limit for the joint meeting after receiving inputs on Thursday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated three new Metro sections in Kolkata on Aug. 22, including part of the Kavi Subhash–Airport line. Services on the line currently operate up to Beleghata from Hemanta Mukhopadhyay (Ruby Hospital) station.
Metro Railway authorities said they are awaiting police permission to launch girders at the Chingrighata crossing, which will link already completed stretches on both sides.
