Kolkata Metro Network

The Kolkata Metro is a rapid transit system serving the city of Kolkata in India. Currently Kolkata Metro network has 48 active stations. Find important and useful information like Kolkata Metro route, metro lines, service operation timings, first train, last train, route map, fare chart, top attractions near metro station, metro station nearby, news and more.

• The Kolkata Metro is a rapid transit system serving the city of Kolkata in West Bengal, India.
• First Time in 1919 of Imperial Legislative Council at Shimla, set a committee that recommended a metro line in Kolkata.
• After that in 1921 proposed East–West Tube Railway in Kolkata by Harley Dalrymple-Hay but in 1923, the proposal was not undertaken due to a lack of funds.
• After the Independence of India in 1949–1950 conceived the idea of an underground railway for Kolkata by Chief Minister of West Bengal, Bidhan Chandra Roy.
• But he did find alternative solutions, the Metropolitan Transport Project (MTP) was set up in 1969.
• India's First foundation stone of the Metro project was laid by Indira Gandhi, the Prime Minister of India, on 29 December 1972.
• The Construction work start in December 1973–74.
• The first time metro started in India on 24 October 1984 covering 3.40 km distance from Esplanade to Bhawanipur station.
• The Kolkata Metro initially planned completed and operational in February 1995.
• After that, all the Kolkata Metro extension projects were started one by one.
• By 2011–2012, the Railway Ministry had announced plans for the construction of five new metro lines and an extension of the existing north–south corridor. These were:
  • Salt Lake – Howrah Maidan (Line 2 or East–West Metro Corridor)
  • Joka – B.B.D. Bagh (Line 3. Later truncated till Esplanade)
  • Noapara–Barasat (Line 4, via airport)
  • Baranagar–Barrackpore (Line 5)
  • New Garia – Dum Dum Airport (Line 6)

Interesting Facts about Kolkata Metro

• The Kolkata Metro is a rapid transit system serving Kolkata in the Indian state of West Bengal.
• The Kolkata Metro is the first planned and operational rapid transit system in India.
• It was initially planned in the 1920s, but construction started in 1970s.
• The foundation stone of the project was laid by Indira Gandhi, the Prime Minister of India, on 29 December 1972, and construction work started in 1973-74.
• The first elevated stretch, from Bhawanipore (now Netaji Bhawan) to Esplanade, opened on 24 October 1984.
• The first metro was driven by Tapan Kumar Nath and Sanjoy Sil.
• It is the only metro in the country, completely owned and funded by the Ministry of Railways, and to be controlled by Indian Railways.
• The metro network has a mix of underground stations, at-grade stations and elevated stations.
• Currently two lines are operational, Line 1 from Noapara to Kavi Subhash and Line 2 from Salt Lake Sector-V to Salt Lake Stadium. 4 Lines are under construction and planned.
• Kolkata Metro trains operate between 05:45 AM (first train) and 21:55 PM (last train).
• Kolkata Metro has the lowest starting fare in the country starts from Rs. 5 to Rs. 30.
• In 2013 a single type of Smart Card (General Smart Card) was introduced. Two new types of Tourist Smart Cards were also introduced (Tourist Smart Card – I and Tourist Smart Card – II). Online smart card recharge facility was launched on 1 July 2020.
• Trains operate at an average speed of 55–60 km/h (34.18–37.28 mph) and stop for about 10 to 20 seconds at each station, depending on the crowd.
• No full coach is reserved for women, but certain sections of seats in each compartment are reserved for women, senior citizens and the physically challenged.
• The metro railway runs special night-long services during Durga Puja (Mahasaptami to Mahanavami), services start at 13:00 and operate till 04:00 the next day.