On August 31, 2019, a tunnel-boring machine building the East-West Metro corridor struck an aquifer beneath Bowbazar's soft, historically wetland soil, causing numerous two-century-old buildings on Durga Pituri Lane to crack and partially collapse; 23 houses were demolished. The crisis recurred in May 2022 (3 more houses razed) and October 2022 (10 buildings cracked, 136 more residents evacuated), with a Jadavpur University expert panel subsequently recommending 45 additional houses be razed.
On record
The official record states: "Officials initially blamed the tunnel-boring machine hitting an aquifer; a Jadavpur University expert committee later attributed the area's vulnerability to soft soil over an aquifer on land that was historically wetland, settled since 1709 despite the geological risk."
Filed as "Under repeat repair; many families permanently relocated" and dated to First incident August 31, 2019; recurred May and October 2022, this entry sits under the "₹14 crore allocated in compensation (₹5 lakh per displaced homeowner after 30+ days' displacement; ₹1.5-5 lakh per affected shopkeeper)" line of the public accounts.
What to expect
- Escalators whose operational status is a matter of ongoing debate.
- A concourse built for crowds that have not yet arrived.
- Signage for a line that connects, eventually, to somewhere.
- Security screening for a station still finding its feet.
Sourcing
2 public sources — news reports, RTI replies and civic archives — corroborate this entry. The citation trail is listed below for anyone who would like to follow up with the department concerned.
“The design won an award. The execution is still under consideration.”— Blunderlust Editorial Desk
Sources
- https://thefederal.com/states/east/west-bengal/kolkata-metro-why-bowbazar-houses-are-cracking-and-what-the-future-holds
- https://theprint.in/india/governance/after-kolkata-metro-work-causes-cracks-panel-wants-to-raze-45-british-era-homes-in-bowbazar/1189845/
Visitor reviews
“Took the metro out here specifically, which was its own adventure. The junction it was meant to fix now has a plaque and two problems.”
“Found it exactly where the internet said it would be, disappointingly intact. The soil test was optimistic and the soil disagreed.”
“Wandered up from the metro station next door, which was also unfinished. It has been re-inaugurated more times than I have visited.”
