Kolkata Metro Route Map

The Kolkata Metro, a rapid transit metro service, commenced operations in 1984. Currently, it serves the city of Kolkata but will soon extend to Howrah. There are 3 operational metro lines, 3 under construction, and another 3 in the planning phase. The system uses broad gauge tracks (1676 mm) with 750 V of direct current (DC) supplied via a third rail. Each train comprises 4 to 6 coaches, traveling underground, overground, and on elevated viaducts. Trains arrive at stations every 5 to 20 minutes, with a maximum speed of 80 kilometers per hour. Over 700,000 people use the Kolkata Metro daily. The headquarters, Metro Rail Bhavan, is located on Nehru Road. Train operations start at 6:45 AM and end at 10:45 PM on weekdays. Ticket prices range from ₹5 to ₹25.

Kolkata Metro, with its 4 operational lines and 45 stations, is an urban mass rapid transit system serving Kolkata and, soon, its suburbs. Construction of Line-1 began in 1972, and the first 3.40 km section between Esplanade and Netaji Bhavan opened in October 1984, making it India’s first metro system. Between 1984 and 1995, additional sections opened, extending the line to 16.45 km.

Following the success of the Delhi Metro’s Phase 1, another push in the mid-2000s expanded Kolkata Metro’s Line-1 by 10.94 km to New Garia (Kavi Subhash) Station. In 2009, construction began on the 14.67 km east-west Line-2, connecting Salt Lake Sector V to Howrah Maidan. Initially under the Ministry of Urban Development, the project was later transferred to the Ministry of Railways. The first section of Line-2 opened on February 13, 2020, with the final section (Howrah Maidan to Phoolbagan) expected to become operational in 2023. In the 2010-11 railway budget, the Union Railway Minister announced the addition of new lines to connect Joka, Dakshineshwar, Barrackpore, Barasat, and the NSCBI Airport (Biman Bandar) from New Garia, further expanding the Kolkata Metro network.

History Of Kolkata Metro

Discussions about constructing a railway line in Kolkata began as early as September 1919 during a session of the British Legislative Council in Shimla. A committee, led by W. E. Crum, was established to explore this initiative. The proposed metro line was intended to connect Bagmari in the east to Benaras Road in the west, with a tunnel under the Hooghly River. This line was expected to span 10.4 km, and the  fare was set at three annas (0.1875 rupees). Additionally, a north-south corridor was suggested by Harley Dalrymple-Hay in 1921. However, both projects required more funding than the imperial government could provide, and thus, they were not pursued.

The idea resurfaced in 1949, championed by West Bengal’s Chief Minister, Bidhan Chandra Roy. Traffic congestion in  Kolkata was worsening, with the city’s roads covering only 4.2 km, compared to 25 to 30 km in other cities. An alternative transportation solution was urgently needed, leading to the establishment of the Metropolitan Transport Project in 1969. With expertise from the USSR and East Germany, a comprehensive metro layout for  Kolkata was devised, projected to cover 97.5 km. Three key areas—Dum Dum, Bidhannagar, and Dakshineswar—were earmarked for construction, with Dum Dum prioritized due to its high population density and immediate need for improved transport facilities.

As India’s first indigenous railway project, the Kolkata Metro faced numerous challenges and required extensive trial and error. Various construction techniques, such as cut-and-cover and shield tunnelling, were employed. The project encountered significant obstacles, including funding shortages, shifting underground utilities, and a lack of essential construction resources. It was not until 1977 that the project regained momentum under the Jyoti Basu government, which introduced policies to secure funding for the  Kolkata Metro. Finally, operations commenced on October 24, 1984, albeit covering a modest distance of 3.4 km.

Kolkata Metro Lines

Here are the lines of Kolkata Metro route:

Line No. 1 – Blue Line

• Length: 32.2 km

• Stations: 26

• Route: Dakshineswar – Kavi Subhash

Kolkata Metro Line 1 became the first modern mass transit system in India when it opened on October 24, 1984. Using 1676 mm (broad gauge) tracks with 750 V DC supplied via a third rail, the trains have eight coaches and run at a maximum speed of 55 km/h with a 5–7 minute headway. It runs in a north-south direction, traversing some of the city’s most prominent and busiest areas.