at a cost of . While by 2019, the cost escalated to . But due to major setbacks, such as land acquisition, slum relocation, and route alignment problems, the project got delayed. The East-West Corridor was originally slated to be operational by 2012, but was later pushed back to 2015. The project will now be implemented in four phases. The first phase, from Salt Lake Sector V to Salt Lake Stadium, became operational on 13 February 2020. The second phase, to Phoolbagan opened on 4 October 2020, operational from 5 October 2020. The third phase to Sealdah is operational from 14 July 2022 and the final phase which includes the journey through the tubular tunnels under the Ganges will be operational by 2023. Current status Elevated Corridor: The elevated section for Phase 1 is complete, including last trials. Commercial operations started on 14 February 2020. Tunnel for Phase 2: The construction of the 5490 metre tunnel has been completed. This section was constructed by ITD-ITD Cementation JV. Underground Stations for Phase 2: The works at Phoolbagan station is complete and it is operational from 04 October 2020. Underground Stations for Phase 3: The Sealdah station is now complete and has inaugurated by Union Minister Smriti Irani and is available for commercial usage from 14 July 2022. Tunnel for Phase 3: Tunneling work for phase 3 is complete. However, work at the shaft at Durga Pithuri Lane is ongoing. Underground Stations for Phase 4: Howrah Maidan, Howrah, Mahakaran and the new Esplanade are structurally complete. Tunnel work for phase 4: Both tunnels for phase 4 is complete. Tunneling between Esplanade and Sealdah was completed on 9 October 2020 and between Sealdah and Bowbazar shaft completed on 15 May 2021. Retrieval of the TBMs and covering of the shaft is on-going. Train Depot: Construction, electrical and mechanical work have been completed and it is presently operational. Timeline 2009: Contract for building the overground stations and viaduct awarded to Gammon and Simplex Infrastructure. 2009: Contract for building the underground section from Subhash Sarabor to Central Station awarded to ITD-ITD Cementation JV. 2009-February: Physical Construction of EW corridor starts. 2010: Contract for building the underground section from Central to Howrah Maidan awarded to Afcons. 2012: KMRC awards rolling stock contract to Spain's Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF). 2012: Realignment proposed to avoid shifting of 80 families from Bowbazar and hawkers from Brabourne Road.