The state has requested the Centre to fund the project, as it did in the case of the Garia extension from Tollygunge. So far, the railways has funded two-thirds of the cost, while the state's share was one-third. But the new norm is that both the Centre and the state would share the costs 50:50.

Chakraborty approached the railway minister over the extension issue during the all-India transport council meeting in New Delhi. "Laluji has agreed to consider our view. The total project cost would be Rs 535 crore. If the project works out, a large number of people will benefit," he said.

Meanwhile, some problems have cropped up over choosing the site for the East-West Metro's underground platform at Howrah station. "Earlier, it had been decided that the Metro platform would be constructed 18 metres below platform 11 of Howrah station. But Eastern Railway has demanded Rs 40 crore for the relocation of underground services, which is too high. This would escalate the total project cost," Chakraborty said.