Kolkata is poised for a significant transformation in urban travel as its long-awaited Metro expansion readies for a grand inauguration. The new lines are set to open very soon, promising a major improvement in daily commutes for thousands across the city. This expansion, a crucial step in strengthening Kolkata’s public transport network, aims to cut down travel times and ease congestion on busy roads. City officials are putting the final touches on preparations, signaling the immediate readiness of this modern rail system. Residents can soon expect faster, more convenient journeys, fundamentally changing how they navigate the bustling metropolis.
New Metro Sections Ready to Open
Kolkata’s public transport system is set to get a big boost with the opening of three new metro rail sections on August 22. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to officially start services on these vital parts of the network. This move aims to make travel easier and faster for many people across the city and its surrounding areas. The new sections are part of the Green Line, Orange Line. Yellow Line, covering different parts of the city and bringing metro services to new areas.
Making Travel Easy for People
The new metro lines will greatly help daily commuters by cutting down travel time and easing road traffic. For example, the full Green Line will allow people to travel between Howrah Maidan and Salt Lake Sector V more quickly. The journey between Howrah and Sealdah stations on the Green Line is expected to take around 12 minutes once fully connected. The metro offers air-conditioned comfort, which is especially good during the hot summer months. it is a cleaner way to travel compared to vehicles that use fossil fuels. People will save time that they can use for personal activities. The metro also makes it easier to reach different parts of the city, connecting homes with work and study places without the trouble of long journeys. The fares are also kept at a low cost, making it an affordable option for many.
The underwater part of the Green Line, which was opened earlier in March 2024, allows trains to cross beneath the Hooghly River in just about 45 seconds. This has brought about a big change in how people travel between Howrah and Kolkata.
Connecting More Parts of the City
The three new sections opening on August 22 will link crucial city areas. The Green Line’s Sealdah-Esplanade section, which is about 2. 5 kilometers long, will finally connect the two existing parts of the East-West Corridor. This means the entire 16. 6-kilometer route from Howrah Maidan to Salt Lake Sector V will be fully open for use. This section faced delays in the past due to ground issues in the Bowbazar area. With this connection, people traveling to the Salt Lake IT hub will find it much easier as the Green Line links with the North-South (Blue) Line at Esplanade. also connects Howrah and Sealdah railway stations.
Another vital section is the Hemanta Mukhopadhyay (Ruby Crossing)-Beleghata stretch of the Orange Line. This part is about 4. 5 kilometers long and will further extend connectivity in the eastern and southern areas of the city. The Orange Line already runs between Kavi Subhash and Hemanta Mukhopadhyay. this new extension brings it closer to its goal of connecting the southern parts of the city with the Kolkata Airport.
The Yellow Line will also see a new section from Noapara to Jai Hind (airport), covering about 7 kilometers. This is a big step as it will provide a direct metro link to the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport for the first time. This will greatly help air travelers and people living in the northern parts of the city. The Yellow Line will connect with the Blue Line at Noapara.
Here is a summary of the new sections and their impact:
- Green Line (East-West Corridor): Sealdah-Esplanade section. This connects the full route from Howrah Maidan to Salt Lake Sector V, including the essential underwater part.
- Orange Line: Hemanta Mukhopadhyay (Ruby Crossing)-Beleghata section. This extends connectivity towards the airport from the southern part of the city.
- Yellow Line: Noapara-Jai Hind (airport) section. This marks the first direct metro link to the Kolkata Airport.
A Long Journey of Metro Building
Kolkata Metro has a long history, being the first metro system to start in India. It began operations in 1984 with an underground section from Bhawanipore (now Netaji Bhawan) to Esplanade. Over the years, the metro network has grown steadily, adding new lines and extending existing ones. The Blue Line, which is the north-south corridor, was extended to Dakshineswar in February 2021. The Green Line started its first section from Salt Lake Sector V to Salt Lake Stadium in February 2020. later reached Phoolbagan in October 2020 and Sealdah in July 2022. The Howrah Maidan to Esplanade part of the Green Line, including the underwater tunnel, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March 2024.
The Purple Line also saw its first section from Joka to Taratala opened in December 2022. was later extended to Majerhat in March 2024. The Orange Line started its first operational segment from Kavi Subhash to Hemanta Mukhopadhyay in March 2024. These step-by-step additions have changed how people move around Kolkata.
Money Spent on These Projects
Building a metro network involves a lot of money. The overall cost for the Kolkata Metro rail projects, which will eventually span 149. 27 kilometers across six lines, is estimated to be over Rs 50,001 crore. The central government has set aside significant funds for these projects. For the current financial year, more than Rs 4,000 crore has been allocated for four metro projects in and around Kolkata.
Here’s a look at some of the recent financial allocations and costs:
| Metro Line | Section/Project | Proposed Allocation (2024-25) | Previous Costs/Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orange Line | New Garia-Airport corridor | Rs 1,791. 39 crore | Total project cost for 29. 87 km is Rs 29,014. 76 crore. |
| Purple Line | Joka-Esplanade corridor | Rs 1,208. 61 crore | Cost increased from Rs 2,600 crore (2010-11) to Rs 10,360 crore (this fiscal). |
| Green Line | East-West Corridor | Rs 906 crore | |
| Yellow Line | Noapara-Barasat corridor | Rs 200 crore |
The Purple Line, which connects Joka with Esplanade, has seen its estimated cost increase significantly over 15 years, from Rs 2,600 crore in 2010-11 to Rs 10,360 crore this year. This increase is due to various challenges faced during construction, including land availability and changes in design, like moving from elevated tracks to underground sections.
What Railway Leaders Say
Officials from the railway ministry and Kolkata Metro have expressed their commitment to delivering these projects with high standards. Satish Kumar, Chairman and CEO of the Railway Board, inspected the new stretches to ensure they meet strict safety and operational requirements. He stated that the railways aim to maintain top standards of safety, cleanliness. operations, similar to other leading metro systems in India.
Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar called the inauguration of these metro projects a “historic gift” for West Bengal, especially ahead of the Durga Puja festival. He highlighted the central government’s big investment in railway works for the state, noting that West Bengal has received a record Rs 83,765 crore for railway projects.
Officials have also spoken about the challenges faced, such as land acquisition problems and issues related to soil in certain areas like Bowbazar, which caused delays for the Green Line. But, they have worked to overcome these hurdles to bring these vital transport links to the city.
More Work Still Coming
Even with these new sections opening, work continues on other parts of the Kolkata Metro network. The Purple Line, which currently runs from Joka to Majerhat, is still being extended to Esplanade, with about 5 kilometers of this stretch being underground. Work has begun on the underground sections, including tunneling for new stations like Kidderpore, Victoria. Park Street. The Orange Line is also planned to be fully operational up to the airport (Jai Hind station) by June 2026. The Yellow Line, which is opening a section to the airport, will eventually connect all the way to Barasat. These ongoing efforts show a long-term plan to keep improving public transport for the people of Kolkata.
