Kolkata: Union minister Smriti Irani has been invited to the inauguration of Sealdah, a significant station along the East-West Metro network, which takes place on July 11. Commercial services between Sector V in Salt Lake City and Sealdah will begin on July 14, said Ekalabya Chakraborty, a representative for Metro Railway.

The East-West Metro corridor, which is only partially operating, has low patronage, and the Metro authorities are banking on the extension of services up to Sealdah to dramatically improve the number of passengers.

Smriti Irani, a union minister, has been asked to officially open the Sealdah station of the East West Metro on Monday,  the spokesperson said. The inauguration will still take place on that day,  even if the Union minister for minority affairs and women's and children's development is unable to make it.

The Metro station will connect suburban train services to and from Sealdah, one of the busiest terminal railway stations in the nation, providing connectivity for commuters travelling to Salt Lake City and its Sector V information technology hub.

Currently, services are run between Sector V station and Phoolbagan on the East West Metro segment that connects Howrah Maidan and Salt Lake.

10.8 km of the 16.6 km long East West Metro, between Howrah and Phoolbagan, are subterranean, with the tunnel crossing below the Hooghly river. According to KMRC, the project's executing agency, trains will ride on elevated rails for the remainder of the route.

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