Kolkata Metro Network

Hop on a Kolkata Metro Metro train for a convenient, fast, and eco-friendly way to explore Kolkata and its neighbouring areas. With well-defined routes and an easy-to-navigate route map, the Kolkata Metro is a popular public transit system and a preferred mode of travel to visit top attractions in and around Kolkata. At present there are 55 active metro stations.

YoMetro helps you with information such as Kolkata Metro route, service updates, timings, first/last train schedule, metro route map, fare charts, ticket details, interchange, top attractions near metro stations, and metro news.

• The Kolkata Metro is a rapid transit system serving the city of Kolkata in West Bengal, India.
• Long before India gained freedom, the Imperial Legislative Council In 1919, established a committee that recommended a metro line in Kolkata.
• In 1921, Harley Dalrymple-Hay proposed the East–West Tube Railway in Kolkata. However, in 1923, the proposal was not undertaken due to a lack of funds.
• Following India's independence, in 1949–1950, Bidhan Chandra Roy, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, conceived the idea of an underground railway for Kolkata.
• While he explored alternative solutions, the Metropolitan Transport Project (MTP) was established in 1969.
• The foundation stone of India's first Metro project was laid by Indira Gandhi, the Prime Minister of India, on 29 December 1972.
• Construction work began in December 1973–74.
• The first metro service in India commenced on 24 October 1984, covering a 3.40 km distance from Esplanade to Bhawanipur station.
• The initial phase of the Kolkata Metro was planned for completion and became operational in February 1995.
• Subsequently, all the Kolkata Metro extension projects were undertaken 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)

Kolkata Metro Network Expansion Plan:

The second phase of the East-West Corridor is prominent under the Kolkata Metro expansion plan, which will connect Howrah Maidan to Salt Lake Sector V. This 16.6 km long section includes both elevated and underground lines. Along with this, work is also going on on the Yellow Line Extension. It is part of Phase 1 and work is going on to extend the existing line to the Naihati area. Joka-Tartala Extension is another important project, which is part of the South-Western Line.

This 14 km long line will connect Joka to BBD Bagh. Apart from this, Kolkata Metro is also expanding its Purple Line, which will connect Darshanul to Sundarban under the Kavi North-South Route. The New Garia-Airport Line (Orange Line) is being expanded in a phased manner. Its aim is to connect New Garia to the airport via Salt Lake. With all these expansions, the Kolkata Metro network is planned to expand to over 90 kilometres by 2025 and over 130 kilometres by 2027.

Interesting Facts about Kolkata Metro

• The Kolkata Metro is the first planned and operational rapid transit system in India.
• It was initially conceptualized in the 1920s, but construction began in the 1970s.
• The foundation stone of the project was laid by Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister of India, on 29 December 1972, and construction work commenced in 1973–74.
• The first elevated stretch, from Bhawanipore (now Netaji Bhawan) to Esplanade, was inaugurated on 24 October 1984.
• The first metro was operated by Tapan Kumar Nath and Sanjoy Sil.
• Kolkata Metro is the only metro system in India that is completely owned and funded by the Ministry of Railways and is operated by Indian Railways.
• Four more lines are under construction and in the planning stage.
• Kolkata Metro trains operate from 05:45 AM (first train) to 09:55 PM (last train).
• Kolkata Metro offers the lowest starting fare in the country, ranging from ₹5 to ₹30.
• In 2013, a single type of Smart Card (General Smart Card) was introduced. Additionally, two types of Tourist Smart Cards—Tourist Smart Card I and Tourist Smart Card II—were launched. Online smart card recharge facilities were introduced on 1 July 2020.
• Trains operate at an average speed of 55–60 km/h (34–37 mph) and typically stop for about 10–20 seconds at each station, depending on passenger volume.
• Although no full coach is reserved for women, specific sections of seats in each compartment are allocated for women, senior citizens, and physically challenged passengers.
• Special night-long services are run during Durga Puja (Mahasaptami to Mahanavami), with operations starting at 1:00 PM and continuing until 4:00 AM the next day.