Protest at Central metro station due to water ingress in Bowbazar area from tunelling work

Tensions flared in Bowbazar when residents staged a protest at the Central Metro Station, disrupting operations and sitting in front of vending machines to express their frustration. The protest arose in response to a water ingress incident at the East-West Metro construction site.

The incident occurred around 10 pm last night when the secant pile wall was being cut at the egress shaft in Bowbazar under Muchipara Police Station. The water ingress was detected following the recent completion of the cross-passage connection with the Eastbound Tunnel on September 1, 2024.

In response to the situation, Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation Limited (KMRCL) took immediate action, evacuating 52 residents from five buildings in the affected zone to nearby hotels. The water ingress was addressed using shotcrete, and authorities anticipate that residents will be able to return to their homes within 48 hours. No damage to buildings has been reported so far.

The initial protest at the Central Metro Station highlighted the residents' concerns over the frequent issues affecting their area. After a period of unrest, the situation was brought under control, allowing normal operations to resume at the station.