July 10, 2026, marks a historic day for the Kolkata Metro project, as the agency successfully achieved a major breakthrough in its underground tunneling operations. The tunnel boring machine (TBM) known as 'Durga' successfully cut through to the designated Victoria metro station, completing the stretch between Kidderpore and Victoria. This significant engineering feat took exactly one year to accomplish, with work having commenced on July 10, 2025. Following this success, the TBM is now set to advance beneath the Kolkata Maidan area toward Park Street, ensuring a seamless connection to Esplanade where it will link with the existing Blue Line.
Official Presence and Recognition
The breakthrough occurred at approximately 10:30 AM, witnessed by the General Manager of Metro Railway, Kolkata, Prem Sagar Gupta. Also present were the Consul General of Nepal, the Commissioner of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, the Police Commissioner of Howrah, and senior officials from Rail Vikas Nigam Limited and the project’s executing agency, L&T. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw took to the social media platform 'X' to celebrate the achievement, posting a video of the breakthrough. He praised the team's effort, characterizing the project as a prime example of engineering excellence beneath the city.
Engineering Precision and Safety Standards
Senior metro officials credited the success of TBM Durga to meticulous planning, engineering excellence, and the dedicated efforts of everyone involved in the project. The work has been lauded as a vital step in upgrading Kolkata's urban transport infrastructure, promising faster, safer, and more sustainable connectivity. The General Manager of Metro Railway specifically commended the staff for their diligence and professional approach. Throughout the construction, the team maintained high standards of safety and quality while ensuring that traffic on the surface remained completely unaffected.
Overcoming Hurdles and Future Connectivity
The Joka-Esplanade Metro corridor has faced significant delays, largely due to complexities in land acquisition and the time taken to secure approvals from the Local Military Authority, which oversees the Maidan area. During the construction phase, certain clubs located at the Maidan had to be temporarily shifted to accommodate the work. Great care was taken throughout the process to ensure that the iconic Victoria Memorial, a landmark of significant historical value, remained untouched by the construction activities. While operations are already underway between Joka and Majerhat, providing connectivity to thousands of daily commuters, the completion of this entire project will eventually benefit millions of residents living along Diamond Harbour Road and the surrounding neighborhoods by providing rapid transit access to the city center.
