Kolkata’s Joka-Esplanade Metro completes final tunnel breakthrough at Victoria

The final breakthrough in the construction of Kolkata's Joka-Esplanade metro line has been achieved, marking a significant milestone in the city's public transportation network. The Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) 'Divya' successfully broke through the final tunnel at Victoria Metro Station on August 11, 2026. This is the second and last tunnel of the line, with the previous one completed on July 10 of the same year.

The TBM 'Divya' had already achieved a breakthrough for the first tunnel at the same station just a month prior. Construction of the Joka-Esplanade metro, also known as the Purple line, involves twin tube tunnels from Khidderpore to Park Street, with the remaining tunneling being carried out using the conventional Cut & Cover method. Two TBMs are being utilized for the construction of the twin tube tunnels.

The Joka-Esplanade metro, once fully operational, will contribute to the city's expanding metro network, enhancing Kolkata's public transportation system. Currently, the Blue and Green metro lines are fully operational, while the Purple and Orange lines have limited services due to construction delays and unfinished lines.

Prem Sagar Gupta, General Manager of Metro Railway, Kolkata, praised the dedication and teamwork of the project personnel for ensuring safe, systematic, and efficient tunneling without disrupting the surface traffic and daily activities in the densely populated area. The initial construction work for this line began in 2011 and has faced multiple delays and obstacles over the years.

The TBM 'Durga' commenced boring the 1.75 km tunnel between Kidderpore and Victoria in July 2025, while the TBM 'Divya' started its work in October 2025.

The Purple line is currently constructing an 8km stretch above ground between Joka and Majerhat stations. The entire project is anticipated to be completed and operational by 2029.