The Design of Patal Rail: Kolkata’s mystical Underground Metro has evolved to honour a lasting architectural heritage
As Patal Rail continues to roll in the womb of the city of joy, DAG’s recent ‘City as a Museum’ festival offers design enthusiasts a chance to closely examine the harmony between modern engineering and cultural design.
The evolution of Kolkata’s ‘Patal Rail has embraced the change while honouring its cultural legacy. This metro system not only offers efficient transportation but also symbolises the city’s resilience, innovation, and respect for its history.
The recent heritage walk arranged as a part of DAG’s ‘City as a Museum’ festival, gave patrons an opportunity to delve into the intricacies of the Patal Rail, reflecting on its colonial roots and subsequent evolution.
This exploration uncovered the layers of colonial history, engineering accomplishments, and cultural fusion embedded within Kolkata’s underground transportation network.
The East-West Metro Corridor in Kolkata includes a tunnel that spans 520 meters and connects the IT hub of Salt Lake Sector V in the east to Howrah Maidan in the west, crossing the river.
The task was particularly daunting as the areas around the area of underwater tunneling had many historic buildings and the authorities had to make sure that the buildings didn’t receive any damage as part of the process.
The Patal Rail’s design narrative traces back to colonial influences, reminiscent of the London Underground’s architectural blueprint, which expanded beneath the Thames River.
The colonial heritage is evident in the initial concept, reflecting an era when subterranean transportation systems were novel and gradually became symbols of progress and modernity..
The successful navigation of trains through the Hooghly River represents an achievement akin to iconic underground systems globally, yet imprinted with Kolkata’s distinctive essence. The meticulous planning and execution of this feat by the Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation (KMRC) and Afcons exemplify technical prowess coupled with an intrinsic understanding of Kolkata’s cultural fabric.
The emphasis on longevity, designing tunnels for a service life of 120 years, underscores a commitment to modernity and tradition.KMRC, the implementing agency of the East-West Metro corridor, is chasing a December 2023 deadline for the 4.8km Esplanade-Howrah Maidan run. The entire 16km corridor’s operations will start in June 2024, as per KMRC MD V K.
