A major milestone has been achieved for Kolkata Metro Line 5, with Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) inviting bids for the long-awaited Baranagar–Barrackpore Metro Corridor. The tender, valued at ₹1,587.39 crore, marks the biggest breakthrough for a project that remained stalled for more than 16 years.
The new contract covers the construction of an elevated viaduct and 10 elevated metro stations between Baranagar and Mangal Pandey (Barrackpore), bringing one of Kolkata’s most delayed metro corridors back on track.
₹1,587 Crore Metro Tender: Key Details
According to the tender documents, RVNL will oversee the construction of the elevated section from Chainage 4.68 km to 16.98 km, spanning approximately 12.45 km.
The project has an estimated completion timeline of 42 months.
Important Dates
- Executing Agency: Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL)
- Tender Reference: RVNL_KOL_METRO_BBVS
- Estimated Cost: ₹1,587.39 crore
- Pre-bid Meeting: August 25, 2026 (11:30 AM)
- Bid Submission Deadline: September 29, 2026 (11:00 AM)
Stations Planned on Kolkata Metro Line 5
The Baranagar–Barrackpore corridor will extend north from the existing Blue Line interchange at Baranagar, significantly improving connectivity along Barrackpore Trunk (BT) Road.
The proposed stations include:
- Baranagar (Interchange with Blue Line)
- Kamarhati
- Agarpara
- Sodepur
- Panihati
- Sukchar / Subhas Nagar
- Khardaha
- Tata Gate / Titagarh North
- Titagarh
- Talpukur
- Barrackpore (Mangal Pandey)
Once completed, the corridor is expected to reduce travel time for thousands of daily commuters travelling between Kolkata and its northern suburbs.
Why Was Kolkata Metro Line 5 Delayed?
Originally sanctioned in the 2009–10 Railway Budget, the project faced repeated delays due to critical underground infrastructure beneath Barrackpore Trunk Road.
Large arterial pipelines carrying water from the Palta Water Works to Kolkata ran directly below the proposed metro alignment, making construction impossible without extensive utility relocation.
The deadlock was finally resolved after a series of high-level coordination meetings between RVNL and the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC). Authorities agreed on a plan to divert the affected water mains using advanced micro-tunneling technology, clearing the way for civil construction.
What Happens Next?
With the tender now officially floated, the Baranagar–Barrackpore Metro project has entered its most significant construction phase since receiving approval over a decade ago.
If the bidding process proceeds on schedule, the long-pending Kolkata Metro Line 5 could finally transform public transport across the northern suburbs, easing congestion on BT Road while providing faster, more reliable connectivity between Baranagar and Barrackpore.
