Kolkata is buzzing with excitement as the city prepares for a landmark moment: the inauguration of a major new metro expansion. This highly anticipated event, set to dramatically improve daily travel for thousands, marks a significant step in boosting public transport. As final checks are underway, the city readies itself to welcome a new era of faster, smoother journeys, promising to ease traffic and connect more areas. The upcoming opening will bring much-needed relief and better access for residents across the sprawling city, transforming how people move and interact within its busy streets.
A Long Journey for City Travel
Kolkata is a city known for its history and busy streets. For many years, people faced heavy traffic. The idea of an underground train system for Kolkata began a long time ago, even in the 1920s. But, actual building work did not start until the 1970s. India’s first underground train, or metro, service began in Kolkata in October 1984. This first line connected Bhawanipore, now Netaji Bhawan, to Esplanade.
Over the years, this initial line, known as the Blue Line, grew longer, stretching from Dakshineswar in the north to Kavi Subhash in the south. The metro system was built to help people move around the city more easily and reduce traffic jams on the roads. The Metropolitan Transport Project (MTP) was formed in 1969 to address the city’s need for a better public transport system. In 1971, a big plan was made to build five metro lines, covering a total of about 97. 5 kilometers. The Metro Railway, Kolkata, which manages the city’s metro system, became the 17th zone of Indian Railways in 2010. It is fully owned and funded by the Ministry of Railways.
Over the decades, the Kolkata Metro has steadily grown. As of 2025, it is the second busiest metro system in India and the fifth longest. It has served the city for 40 years, carrying over 700,000 passengers every day. The expansion of the metro has been seen as a way to improve daily life for residents by cutting down on travel time.
Connecting More Parts of the City
Kolkata is getting ready for a big step forward in its public transport system. On August 22, 2025, three new parts of the metro network are set to open. This includes parts of the Green Line, the Yellow Line. the Orange Line. These new sections will add about 14 kilometers of operational track to the city’s network.
One of the most vital openings is the Sealdah to Esplanade section of the Green Line, also known as the East-West Metro. This part is about 2. 6 kilometers long. Once this section is open, the entire 16. 5-kilometer Green Line will be fully working, connecting Howrah Maidan to Salt Lake Sector V. This line is special because it includes India’s first underwater train tunnel, which goes under the Hooghly River. The Howrah Maidan to Esplanade section of this line was already opened on March 6, 2024. The Bowbazar area was a difficult part to build because of ground problems, which caused delays. But with this new section, people will be able to travel directly from Howrah Maidan to Sealdah.
Another new section is the Noapara to Jai Hind, or Airport, stretch of the Yellow Line. This part is about 7 kilometers long and is the first phase of this line. This will give people a direct metro link to the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, which is a big help for travelers and those living in the northern parts of the city. The Yellow Line will also connect with the existing Blue Line at Noapara.
The third new section is the Hemanta Mukhopadhyay, or Ruby Crossing, to Beleghata part of the Orange Line. This stretch covers about 4. 5 kilometers. The Kavi Subhash to Hemanta Mukhopadhyay section of the Orange Line began working on March 6, 2024. This line will help people living in the eastern and southern parts of the city. All these new lines are designed to meet high standards of cleanliness, on-time service. safety.
Why These New Lines Matter
The opening of these new metro sections is a big event for the city. It means better connections for many people. The Metro Railway general manager, P Uday Kumar Reddy, has stated that the Kolkata Metro network will grow to 90 kilometers by the end of 2025 and more than 130 kilometers by 2027.
The expanded metro network is expected to bring many good changes:
- Better Travel: People can travel more easily and quickly between homes, work places. main transport hubs. The journey from Howrah to Sealdah, for example, is expected to take only about 20 minutes.
- Less Traffic: With more people using the metro, there will be fewer cars on the roads. This will help reduce traffic jams, especially on busy main roads.
- Cleaner Air: Metro trains are a clean way to travel, which means less air pollution from cars and buses. This helps to make the city’s air better.
- Better Life for Residents: Saving time on daily travel means people have more time for their families and hobbies. The metro also offers a comfortable ride with air conditioning.
- Economic Growth: The metro helps businesses by making it easier for people and goods to move around. This can bring new businesses and jobs, helping the city’s economy grow.
- Property Value Increase: Areas near metro stations often see an increase in property values, making them good places for people to live and for investors.
The Railway Ministry proposed the joint inauguration of the Bowbazar stretch and the Esplanade-Sealdah segment. A senior Metro Rail official mentioned that all necessary tests for the Esplanade to Sealdah section have been done. The Commissioner of Railway Safety gave clearance for commercial operation for the Bowbazar stretch recently, meaning there are no technical or rule-based problems left to start services on this crucial link.
“All necessary tests have been completed for the Esplanade to Sealdah section. The Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) granted commercial operation clearance for the Bowbazar stretch last month. There is now no technical or regulatory hurdle preventing the launch of services on this critical link.”
The Yellow Line’s link to the airport is a crucial part of the expansion. Large cities usually have metro links to their airports. The Noapara-Airport corridor will help with this need. The Orange Line extension will also help people who travel from the Kavi Subhash line to reach Salt Lake and other crucial areas. These developments show the city’s focus on modernizing public transport and helping the city grow in a good way.
