RVNL starts erection of 3rd rail at Joka–Taratala metro corridor

Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd has started the erection of the third rail in Joka–Taratala section of the Joka-BBD Bag Metro corridor. The third rail, made of steel-aluminium composite, is corrosion resistant and being light-weight, it can be installed easily. This is for the first time when a rail made of steel-aluminium composite is being installed in any Metro project in Bengal. The Nigam will use the same type of rail in the New Garia-Airport Metro corridor as well and the installation work will start soon. The third rail is a method of providing electric power to a railway locomotive or train through a semi-continuous rigid conductor placed alongside or between the rails of a railway track. The rail with its top-wearing surface made of stainless steel and the body is of aluminium has been imported from Germany. It is not only cost-effective than ordinary steel but its longevity but is also much higher with trouble-free maintenance. If everything goes as per the plan, the installation within the viaduct of the corridor from Joka to Taratala will be completed by October. An RVNL engineer informed that the RVNL has targeted laying of a third rail within the depot at Joka by January 2020, but it is facing difficulty in acquiring its land for the depot because of local issues and has sought help from the state government for possession of depot land. The laying of tracks from Joka to Taratala had started in August last year and is for the first time when the indigenously manufactured rail tracks are being used for any Metro project in the country. There will be six stations along the 9 km stretch from Joka to Taratala, including Joka, Thakurpukur, Sakherbazar, Behala Chowrasta, Behala Bazar and Taratala station.