The Kolkata Metro, India’s first rapid transit system, exemplifies technology innovation and efficient urban transportation. The metro network is constantly evolving, enhancing connectivity and reducing travel times. It connects busy areas of the city. This article gives the history of the Kolkata Metro, current operations, plans, and essential updates.
The Kolkata Metro network will be about 100 km long in the next four years. The first phase will be from Joka to Esplanade and the second from New Garia to Kolkata Airport.
Kolkata Metro Overview
- Length: 145.78 km –59.38 km (Operational), 41.94 km (Under Construction), 44.46 km (proposed)
- Stations: 122 – 50 (Operational), 52 (Under Construction), 20 (proposed)
- Lines: 6
- Track gauge: 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
- Speed: 100 km/h (Average speed – 60 km/h)
- Type: Elevated, Underground, at-grade
- Operator: Metro Railway – Kolkata, Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation
- Began operation: 24 October 1984
Kolkata Metro Timeline
- 24 Oct 1984: Esplanade – Netaji Bhawan (Line 1) – 3.40 km
- 12 Nov 1984: Dum Dum – Belgachhia (Line 1) – 2.15 km
- 29 Apr 1986: Netaji Bhawan – Tollygunge (Line 1) – 4.24 km
- 13 Aug 1994: Belgachhia – Shyambazaar (Line 1) – 1.63 km
- 02 Oct 1994: Esplanade – Chandni Chowk (Line 1) – 0.71 km
- 19 Feb 1995: Shyam Bazaar – Girish Park (Line 1) – 1.92 km
- 19 Feb 1995: Chandni Chowk – Central (Line 1) – 0.60 km
- 27 Sep 1995: Central – Girish Park (Line 1) – 1.80 km
- 22 Aug 2009: Tollygunge – Garia Bazar (Line 1) – 5.85 km
- 07 Oct 2010: Garia Bazar – New Garia (Line 1) – 3.00 km
- 10 Jul 2013: Dum Dum – Noapara (Line 1) – 2.09 km
- 13 Feb 2020: Sector V – Salt Lake Stadium (Line 2) – 5.3 km
- 05 Oct 2020: Salt Lake Stadium – Phoolbagan (Line 2) – 1.7 km
- 21 Feb 2021: Noapara – Dakshineswar (Line 1) – 4.11 km
- 14 July 2022: Phoolbagan – Sealdah (Line 2) – 2.1 km
- 30 Dec 2022: Joka – Taratala (Line-3) – 6.5 km
- 6 March 2024: Howrah Maidan – Esplanade (Line 2) – 3.9 km
- 6 March 2024: Taratala – Majerhat (Line-3) – 1.25 km
- 6 March 2024: Kavi Subhash – Hemanta Mukhopadhyay (Line-6) – 5.68 km
Kolkata Metro Route
Blue Line (Line-1)
- Length: 32.13 km
- Route: Dakshineswar to New Garia (Kavi Subhash)
- Stations: 26 – Dakshineswar, Baranagar, Noapara, Dum Dum, Belgachhia, Shyambazar, Shobabazar, Shobhabazar Sutanuti, Girish Park, MG Road, Central, Chandni Chowk, Esplanade, Park Street, Maidan, Rabindra Sadan, Netaji Bhavan, Jatin Das Park, Kalighat, Rabindra Sarobar, Mahanayak Uttam Kumar, Netaji, Masteda Surya Sen, Gitanjali, Kavi Nazrul, Shahid Khudiram, Kavi Subhash (New Garia)
Green Line (Line-2)
- Length: 22.0 km
- Route: Howrah Maidan – Salt Lake Sector-V – Teghoria (Haldiram)
- Stations: 17 – Howrah Maidan, Howrah, Mahakaran, Esplanade, Sealdah, Phoolbagan, Salt Lake Stadium, Bengal Chemical, City Center, Central Park, Karunamoyee, Salt Lake Sector-V, Kestopur, Dum Dum Park, Baguiati, Raghunathpur, Teghoria
Purple Line (Line-3)
- Length: 18.47 km
- Route: Diamond Park – Esplanade
- Stations: 14 – Diamond Park, IIM Calcutta, Joka, Thakurpukur, Sakher Bazar, Behala Chowrasta, Behala Bazar, Taratala, Majerhat, Mominpur, Khidirpur, Victoria, Park Street, Esplanade
Yellow Line (Line-4)
- Length: 18.13 km
- Route: Noapara – Barasat
- Stations: 10 – Noapara, Dum Dum Cantonment, Jessore Road, Jai Hind, Birati, Michael Nagar, New Barrackpur, Madhyamgram, Hridaypur, Barasat
Pink Line (Line-5)
- Length: 12.50 km
- Route: Baranagar – Barrackpore
- Stations: 11 – Baranagar, Krishna Kali, Acharya Prafulla Chandra, Gandhi Ashram, Sarat Chandra, Subhas Nagar, Rishi Bankim, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Shah Nawaz Khan, Anukul Thakur, Mangal Pandey
Orange Line (Line-6)
- Length: 29.87 km
- Route: Kavi Subhash – Jai Hind
- Stations: 24 – Kavi Subhash, Satyajit Ray, Jyotirindra Nandi (Mukundpur), Kavi Sukanta (Kalikapur), Hemanta Mukhopadhyay (Ruby Hospital), VIP Bazar, Ritwik Ghatak, Barun Sengupta, Beliaghata, Gour Kishore Ghosh, NICCO Park, Saltlake Sector V, Technopolis, Nazrul Tirtha, Swapno Bhor, Biswa Bangla Convention Centre, Kala Kshetra, Mother’s Wax Museum, Eco Park, Mangaldeep, City Centre II, Chinar Park, VIP Road, Jai Hind
Kolkata Metro Route Map
About Kolkata Metro
India’s oldest operational metro network is the Kolkata Metro. Built in the 1920s, it has been serving the city since 1984. As of February 2021, the metro had two operational lines: Kavi Subhas to Dakshineswar and Phool Bagan to Salt Lake Sector 5. It runs on both broad-gauge and standard-gauge tracks, with elevated, underground, and at-grade metro stations.
The Kolkata Metro system has been around for years, but its expansion has been slow. 2021 was the year when the second line began operating. Four lines are currently in varying stages of construction.
It is operated and owned by the Kolkata Metro Railway, the Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation (KMRC).
Kolkata Metro Timings
The Kolkata Metro operates from 7:00 am to 22:30 pm. The train stops for 10–20 seconds at each station; this is why the arrival time of the first train every morning may change slightly.
Bangalore Metro Fares
The fares of the metro depends on the distance travelled. The following charges are applicable for passengers as the two lines are currently operating.
- Up to 2 KM: Rs 5
- 2 KM to 5 KM: Rs 10
- 5 KM to 10 KM: Rs 15
- 10 KM to 20 KM: Rs 20
- Above 20 KM: Rs 25
Conclusion
The Kolkata Metro is not just a transit system; it is a symbol of modernisation and progress for the city. It is set to set the standards of urban transport across India with its continuous growth and commitment to serve millions of people.
