Kolkata: In a landmark moment for Kolkata’s urban transportation, Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Sealdah–Esplanade stretch of the Metro Green Line, a 2.45 km section that completes the much-awaited East-West Metro corridor. This project is backed by strong support from BEML, which supplied 17 advanced trainsets for the corridor.
The project marks a significant leap in the city’s transit infrastructure, drastically improving connectivity and reducing travel time for millions of commuters.
Connecting East and West Kolkata in Just 32 Minutes
The East–West corridor now spans from Howrah Maidan in the west to Salt Lake Sector V in the east, seamlessly linking two of India’s busiest railway stations – Howrah and Sealdah – with Kolkata’s IT and commercial hubs.
A journey that once took up to 90 minutes by road can now be completed in just 32 minutes by metro, transforming not just convenience, but also the economic and environmental landscape of the city.
BEML: Driving Innovation in Urban Mobility
Playing a pivotal role in this achievement is BEML Limited, which has supplied 17 cutting-edge trainsets for the Green Line. These trains operate on the corridor that includes India’s first underwater metro tunnel, constructed beneath the Hooghly River.
Designed and manufactured entirely at BEML’s Bengaluru facility, these trainsets are a showcase of indigenous engineering excellence, with every core subsystem – including the car body, bogies, propulsion, braking, and control systems – integrated for maximum efficiency and reliability.
Passenger-Centric Design and Safety Features
BEML’s metro trainsets also prioritize passenger safety and convenience, equipped with–
- Smoke and heat detection systems
- Passenger announcement and information systems
- CCTV and alarm systems
- Passenger-to-crew emergency communication features
These enhancements aim to set new benchmarks in safety, reliability, and comfort for urban transit in India.
A Symbol of Modern India’s Transit Aspirations
The Green Line, with its underwater tunnel and advanced rolling stock, represents a paradigm shift in India’s urban transport landscape. The project is not just an infrastructure milestone, but a testament to India’s Make in India ethos and its engineering capabilities on the global stage.
About BEML
BEML Limited, headquartered in Bengaluru, is a leading manufacturer of defence, aerospace, mining, construction, and rail & metro equipment. With a strong track record in indigenous manufacturing of metro coaches, BEML has been a key supplier to major Indian metro projects including Delhi Metro, Bengaluru Metro, and Mumbai Metro.
This landmark deal reaffirms BEML’s capability and readiness to deliver world-class solutions in metro infrastructure, and represents a bold step towards becoming a global player in rail technology and services.
