Metro to save Rs 350 cr by upgrading traction sub-station
The Statesman | 24 July 2025
The Kolkata Metro Railway is aiming to save Rs 350 crore for the Blue Line by upgrading the traction substation at Belgachia Metro station.
In order to upgrade the power supply network from the existing 11 KV to 33 KV for the entire Blue Line of Metro Railway, Kolkata, one of the oldest 11 KV sub-stations of Blue Line at Belgachia was replaced by a new 33 KV traction substation with gas insulated switchgear yesterday. The upgrade to the 33 KV network is said to have multiple benefits. It would improve reliability by reducing the number of switchgear/equipment. Distribution loss in cables would also be reduced due to power distribution in higher voltage.
According to the city Metro, as the system uses 12 pulse rectifiers the core loss in transformers would also reduce considerably leading to further power savings. This replacement would save approximately Rs 350 crores for the entire Blue Line in equipment replacement cost and capitalised energy saving cost. The Metro authorities are working on upgrading the traction substation at Dum Dum also very soon.