The Times of India is to extend presslines in Kolkata and Airoli as part of a programme to build on the success of the giant English-language daily.

Two four-colour towers are to be added to the 4-1 manroland Cromoman pressline in Kolkata, and a single extra tower - each with corresponding reelstands - added to that in Airoli.

German press maker manroland web systems' largest customer in India, Times of India publisher Bennett, Coleman & Co has been using the "made for India" 4-1 Cromoman design since 2011 to print what is the world's largest English-language newspaper. Total circulation is more than 3.4 million.

The 4-1 (double-width, two-around) Cromoman prints at up to 75,000 cylinder revolutions an hour, with automation options reducing paper waste, makeready times and personnel costs. Functions include automatic webbing-up at 50 metres per minute, inline control systems and full integration of additional components into the PECOM control system.

The new towers will leave manroland's Augsburg factory in May 2017, with the project set for completion by the end of that year.

Pictured: The Cromoman line in Kolkata