Kausty at 19:39, 2 February 2025

2025-02-02T19:39:03Z

New page

{{Short description|Rail-based transit project planned for Kolkata, West Bengal, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}{{Use Indian English|date=May 2020}}
{{Infobox Public transit
| name = Kolkata Monorail
| image =
| locale = [[Kolkata Metropolitan Area]]
| transit_type = Straddle-beam [[Monorail]]
| began_operation =
| system_length =
| vehicles =
| stations =
| ridership =
| reporting marks =
| owner =
| operator =
| imagesize =
| alt =
| caption =
| area served =
| line_number =
| start =
| end =
| annual_ridership =
| chief_executive =
| website =
| character =
| map =
| map_state =
}}
'''Kolkata Monorail''' was a rail-based transit project planned for the city of [[Kolkata]], [[West Bengal]], [[India]]. This was the first proposed monorail in the country.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Indias first monorail to come up in Kolkata|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/archive/indias-first-monorail-to-come-up-in-kolkata/389010/|date=2008-11-22|website=The Financial Express|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/kolkata-monorail-project-likely-to-begin-from-march/389160/ |title=Kolkata monorail project likely to begin from March |work=The Indian Express|date=22 November 2008 |access-date=2010-08-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110122044648/http://www.indianexpress.com/news/kolkata-monorail-project-likely-to-begin-from-march/389160 |archive-date=22 January 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite web |url=http://www.indiaautomotive.net/2008/11/kolkata-monorail-mass-transit-system-to.html |title=Kolkata Monorail mass transit system to be operational by mid-2011 |publisher=India Automotive |date=22 November 2008 |access-date=2010-08-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100128063418/http://www.indiaautomotive.net/2008/11/kolkata-monorail-mass-transit-system-to.html |archive-date=28 January 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite news|date=2016-09-29|title=Bengal turns to Burn Standard for Kolkata monorail project|work=Business Standard|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/bengal-turns-to-burn-standard-for-kolkata-monorail-project-116092900995_1.html|access-date=2020-05-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180504103932/http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/bengal-turns-to-burn-standard-for-kolkata-monorail-project-116092900995_1.html|archive-date=4 May 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

== History ==

=== 2004 & 2008 ===
The initial plan regarding the monorail was floated in 2004.<ref name="TIE">{{cite news|title=Kolkata on a high: state seals Monorail MoU|newspaper=The Indian Express|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/kolkata-on-a-high-state-seals-monorail-mou/425443/0|access-date=31 August 2012}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=Light at end of tunnel for Kolkata's monorail project|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Light-at-end-of-tunnel-for-Kolkatas-monorail-project/articleshow/54575036.cms|last=29 September 2016|website=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=2020-05-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161003005035/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Light-at-end-of-tunnel-for-Kolkatas-monorail-project/articleshow/54575036.cms|archive-date=3 October 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> In November that 2008, the first corridor ([[Budge Budge]] to [[Taratala]]) was finalised and the project was awarded to Andromeda Technologies, at a total cost of Rs. 1,200 crore, along with a German company, Derap AG & Helbling Technik AG and Fernmeldewerk Munchen Aubing, as technology and signalling partners, respectively.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=Construction of first stretch of monorail to start in March|url=https://www.oneindia.com/2008/11/21/construction-of-first-stretch-of-monorail-to-start-in-march-1227279883.html|date=2008-11-21|website=oneindia.com|language=en|access-date=2020-05-05}}</ref> It was a [[build-own-operate]] [[Public–private partnership|public-private partnership]] model between [[Government of West Bengal]] and Andromeda Technologies Pvt. Ltd. The coaches were supposed to be initially imported from Germany, and later locally produced at [[Titagarh Wagons]], [[Jessop & Company|Jessop]] and Texmaco.<ref name=":0" /> It was targeted that the phase 1 corridor would be operational by the next 4–5 years. The 2nd phase was a 52 km long route from [[Taratala]] to [[Rajarhat]].<ref name=":3" /> But, the project was put on hold, due to lack of support from financial institution and unfavourable conditions, and Andromeda Technologies pulled out from it. The sanction of [[Orange Line (Kolkata Metro)|Orange Line]] in 2010-11 Railway Budget, led to the end of the monorail corridor, since both had almost the same alignment.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rail set to take over East-West - jjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjj|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/rail-set-to-take-over-east-west-jjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjj/cid/1189808|website=The Telegraph|location=Kolkota|language=en|access-date=2020-05-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190623133115/https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/west-bengal/rail-set-to-take-over-east-west-jjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjj/cid/1189808|archive-date=23 June 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":1" />

=== 2014 ===
[[Scomi Engineering]], expressed its intention to develop monorail system in the city, especially in [[New Town, Kolkata|New Town]], with a budget of Rs. 2000-2500 crore.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Monorail giant eyes Newtown project|url=http://aitcofficial.org/aitc/monorail-giant-eyes-newtown-project/|date=21 August 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190812101807/http://aitcofficial.org/aitc/monorail-giant-eyes-newtown-project/|archive-date=12 August 2019|access-date=6 May 2020}}</ref>

=== 2016 ===
In 2016, the plan was revived. A 70 km corridor from Budge Budge to Ruby on EM Bypass, via Budge Budge Trunk Road, New Alipore and Prince Anwar Shah Road, was proposed, to connect parts [[South 24 Parganas]] with the [[Orange Line (Kolkata Metro)|Orange Line]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Kolkata to get its own monorail|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/kolkata/kolkata-to-get-its-own-monorail/story-vLoBMmytkuEx0kUkzlWzGJ.html|date=2016-09-29|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|access-date=2020-05-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170727181422/http://www.hindustantimes.com/kolkata/kolkata-to-get-its-own-monorail/story-vLoBMmytkuEx0kUkzlWzGJ.html|archive-date=27 July 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The state industry promotion and development board approved the proposal submitted by Burn Standard. Thus, Burn Standard was the implementation agency of the project in PPP model with [[Government of West Bengal]], at a cost of Rs. 4,216 crore. The Physical construction was planned to begin by March 2017 with a 3-year deadline.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=Kolkata to get its own monorail service, CM Mamata says will soon sign MoU|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/kolkata-monorail-service-mumbai-west-bengal-cm-mamata-banerjee-memorandum-of-understanding-south-24-parganas-taratala-new-alipore-343993-2016-09-29|date=September 29, 2016|first=Indrajit|last=Kundu|website=India Today|language=en|access-date=2020-05-06}}</ref> The project again came to a halt after few years.

=== 2018 ===
West Bengal Housing & Infrastructure Development Corporation in October 2018 proposed monorail for [[New Town, Kolkata|New Town]], the fast-growing planned satellite city of Kolkata and [[Bidhannagar|Salt Lake]], another planned city adjacent to New Town. The feasibility study was conducted and cost evaluation of the project was done. The line would start at Ultandanga, and pass via Salt Lake Sector I & III and would end at New Town, thus connecting [[Green Line (Kolkata Metro)|Green Line]] and [[Orange Line (Kolkata Metro)|Orange Line]]. The total cost of project was estimated at Rs. 4500 crore.<ref>{{Cite web|title=HIDCO explores options for starting monorail services in Salt lake, New Town|url=http://www.millenniumpost.in/kolkata/hidco-explores-options-for-starting-monorail-services-in-salt-lake-new-town-321642|date=2018-10-04|website=millenniumpost.in|language=en|access-date=2020-05-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218094447/http://www.millenniumpost.in/kolkata/hidco-explores-options-for-starting-monorail-services-in-salt-lake-new-town-321642|archive-date=18 December 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=27 October 2018|title=HIDCO, exploring options for monorail services|work=United News of India|url=http://www.uniindia.com/hidco-exploring-options-for-starting-monorail-services-in-salt-lake-newtown/states/news/1389959.html|access-date=6 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=India Smart City Mission|url=http://smartcities.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/KOL_Upgraded%20SCP.pdf|website=smartcities.gov.in/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170712200251/http://smartcities.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/KOL_Upgraded%20SCP.pdf|archive-date=12 July 2017|access-date=5 May 2020}}</ref>

== Current status ==
Again in 2020, [[Braithwaite & Co.]], started talks with [[Government of West Bengal]] to set up monorail in the state. It is planned to run between [[Sealdah]] and [[Titagarh]]. The corridor is still in planning stage.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Monorail services to be introduced in Bengal soon|url=http://www.millenniumpost.in/kolkata/monorail-services-to-be-introduced-in-bengal-soon-398301|date=2020-01-31|website=millenniumpost.in|language=en|access-date=2020-05-05}}</ref> In February 2020, New Town Kolkata Development Authority (NKDA) shelved the monorail proposal in and around New Town, and preferred to opt for a cheaper ropeway system.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Soon, ropeway services to connect areas in New Town|url=http://www.millenniumpost.in/kolkata/soon-ropeway-services-to-connect-areas-in-new-town-399479|date=2020-02-07|website=millenniumpost.in|language=en|access-date=2020-05-05}}</ref>

== Corridors ==
{| class="wikitable"
!Year
! colspan="2" |2006
! rowspan="2" |2014
! rowspan="2" |2016
! rowspan="2" |2018
! rowspan="2" |2020
|-
!Phase
!1
!2
|-
!Corridor
|[[Budge Budge]] {{En dash}} [[Taratala]]
|[[Taratala]] {{En dash}} [[Rajarhat]]
|[[New Town, Kolkata|NewTown]]
|[[Budge Budge]] {{En dash}} [[Kasba, Kolkata|Ruby]]
|[[Ultadanga]] {{En dash}} [[New Town, Kolkata|New Town]]
|[[Sealdah]] {{En dash}} [[Titagarh]]
|-
!Length
|{{convert|20|km|mi|abbr=}}
|{{convert|52|km|mi|abbr=}}
|{{convert|00|km|mi|abbr=}}
|{{convert|70|km|mi|abbr=}}
|{{convert|13|km|mi|abbr=}}{{Note|Approximate Length}}
|{{convert|20|km|mi|abbr=}}{{Note|Approximate Length}}
|-
!Status
|''Proposed''
|''Scrapped''
|''Scrapped''
|''Proposed''
|''Scrapped''
|''Proposed''
|}
''{{Note|Approximate Length}}: Approximate Length''

==See also==
* [[Kolkata Metro]]
*[[Kolkata Suburban Railway]]
*[[Kolkata Light Rail Transit]]
*[[Trams in Kolkata]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{Kolkata topics}}
{{Rapid transit in India}}
{{Railway lines in Eastern India}}

{{coord missing|West Bengal}}

[[Category:Transport in Kolkata]]
[[Category:Proposed monorails in India]]
[[Category:Companies based in Kolkata]]

Kolkata Monorail - Revision history

Kausty at 19:39, 2 February 2025