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Press Release

February 13, 2020

JICA Bolsters Mobility by Inaugurating Kolkata East West Metro Line 2
- Promoting ease of travel by strengthening public transportation -

Kolkata, February 13, 2020: Kolkata East West Metro Line 2 for which system and rolling stocks are funded by the Japan -International Cooperation Agency (JICA), consists of 5.7 km stretch connecting Sector V with Salt Lake Stadium was inaugurated today. This new train will have six coaches and would run at a maximum speed of 80 km/hr, double the speed limit of 40 km/hr of the existing North-South Metro.

The objective of the Project is to mitigate traffic congestion, reduce air pollution, minimize road accidents and make travel smoother for the people in Kolkata. The Project will provide an improved access to public from the west gateway area to the central business district as well as the residential-cum-institutional complex areas. Inducing the technology in operation of metro, the coaches will be operated by Communication-Based Train Control (CBTC) technology from the control room at the KMRC Central Depot at Salt Lake.

The flagging-off ceremony of the stretch was done by Mr. Piyush Goyal, Hon'ble Minister of Railways and Commerce, Government of India (GoI); Mr. Babul Supriyo, Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, GoI and Mr. Masayuki Taga, Consulate General of Japan in Kolkata. There were other key dignitaries present at the ceremony from Government of India and JICA India office.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Katsuo Matsumoto, Chief Representative, JICA India said,"We recognise the need for a well-developed transport infrastructure and are pleased to finance metro system in Kolkata. The metro is well planned as a part of the integrated urban transportation of the city and the alignment covering the core districts of economic and cultural activities as well as interconnected with other transportation mode JICA's cooperation will lead to the modal shift from road traffic to public transport system and will eventually lead to balanced regional development and improvement of environmental conditions."

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Vineet Sahai Sarin, Chief Development Specialist, JICA India said," The Kolkata Metropolitan area spans across 1,854 km2. It is a large economic hinterland with a population of 16 million people. With the development of Salt Lake City and New Town, the population of Kolkata is increasing significantly, and the increased congestion on the roads has become evident. The Project envisages building of an efficient transportation system for city, catering to the growing population.

The Executing Agency for the Project is Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation Limited (KMRCL).

The north-south line, which was India's first rapid transit system and Kolkata's Line 1 was supported by JICA, flagged off in 1984. The cumulative loan amount provided by JICA for the Kolkata Metro amounts to 55,742 million Japanese Yen (approximately INR 3,600 Crore). JICA Metro projects in India (including Delhi, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai and Ahmedabad Metro) exceed 1.2 trillion Japanese Yen (approximately INR 77,500 Crore). Since 1983, JICA has extended ODA loans amounting to 296,376 million Japanese Yen (approximately INR 19,100 Crore) for projects in West Bengal across various sectors.

PhotoMr. Piyush Goyal, Hon'ble Minister of Railways and Commerce, GoI, addressing the audience

PhotoMr. Babul Supriyo, Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, GoI, addressing the audience


PhotoThe dignitaries flagging off the stretch of Line 2 of the Kolkata Metro


About JICA

Established by a specific law as an incorporated administrative institution under the Government of Japan, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) aims to promote international cooperation as the sole Japanese governmental agency in charge of ODA implementation. JICA is the world's largest bilateral donor agency. JICA works as a bridge between Japan and emerging countries, and provides assistance in the form of loans, grants and technical cooperation, so that the emerging countries can strengthen their capabilities.

For further information, please contact:

JICA India Office
Sho Naya/Vini Sharma
+91 11 49097000
Naya.Sho@jica.go.jp
Sharmavini.id@jica.go.jp

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