Kolkata Metro route, map and latest updates

Kolkata is the first city in India where the metro rail urban mass rapid transit system was introduced, when operations began in 1984. Currently, the Kolkata Metro network includes two operational lines covering a total length of around 38 kms. The metro railway system in Kolkata has seen significant improvements over the years with the help of modern technology and new infrastructure.

Further, Kolkata has become the first city in India to get an underwater metro tunnel built for improving connectivity in the city. The underwater metro, located on the Howrah Maidan-Esplanade section of the East-West corridor, was inaugurated on March 6, 2024. The underwater metro line services were opened for the public on March 15, 2024.

The Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation (KMRCL) is developing the East-West Metro corridor which includes an underwater tunnel that will pass beneath the river Hooghly. On April 12, 2023, Kolkata Metro completed its under-river maiden run from the 520-metre tunnel below the Hooghly river. With the completion of the metro train journey, Kolkata joined London, Paris, New York, Shanghai and Cairo, which have trains operating under the rivers Thames, Seine, Hudson, Huangpu, and Nile, respectively.

Media reports cited KMRC managing directors as stating that trains will run at a 12-minute frequency once the underwater section becomes operational. The east-west corridor will connect Salt Lake City with Howrah. The 16-km corridor is expected to start full operations by June 2024.

Metro services in Kolkata are at present available on two routes — the North-South Line or the Dakshineswar-Kavi Subhas metro route and the east-west route between Sealdah and Salt Lake.

Kolkata Metro has received a budgetary allocation of Rs 2,550 crore for FY 2023-24 for the Dum Dum airport to New Garia and Joka to Binoy Badal Dinesh (BBD) Bagh metro projects. An amount of Rs 1,350 crore has been allocated for Joka-Esplanade Metro line while Rs 1,200 crore has been allocated for the Dum Dum airport to New Garia via the Rajarhat metro project.

PM Modi inaugurated Kolkata Metro’s Howrah Maidan-Esplanade Metro section, Kavi Subhash-Hemanta Mukhopadhyay Metro section and Taratala-Majerhat Metro section (part of Joka- Esplanade line) on March 6, 2024. While the 4.8 km Howrah Maidan-Esplanade Metro section of the Kolkata Metro has the first transportation tunnel under any mighty river in India, the Howrah Metro Station is the deepest metro station in India, according to an official statement. Also, the Majerhat Metro Station on the Taratala-Majerhat Metro section is a unique elevated metro station across railway lines, platforms and canal.

See also: All about Kanpur metro route and Kanpure metro map

 

Kolkata Metro: Quick facts

Developed by	Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation (KMRCL)
Lines	Six (including two operational lines)
Stations	50 operational, 30 under construction, 18 planned
Length	38 kilometre (km)
Timing	7 AM to 10:30
Fare	Rs 5 to Rs 30
Train speed	56 km/h

 

Kolkata Metro construction details

With the inauguration of the North-South Metro route from Noapara to Dakshineswar in 2021, the upcoming metro corridors are also expected to improve connectivity, particularly in the highly congested areas of the city. At present, there are four metro lines in Kolkata under different stages of construction.

Operational lines:

• Blue Line: Dakshineswar-Kavi Subhas metro
• Green Line: Salt Lake Sector 5 to Phool Bagan
• Purple Line: Taratala-Majerhat Metro section of Joka- Esplanade line (partially operational)

Under-construction lines:

Metro Line	Number of stations	Length (km)	Route
Purple Line	14	16.2	Diamond Park-Esplanade
Yellow Line	10	16.8	Noapara-Barasat
Pink Line	11	12.4	Baranagar-Barrackpore
Orange Line	24	29.8	Kavi Subash-Biman Nagar

See also: Posh areas in Kolkata

Most of the construction for Line 1 is based on the Cut and Cover construction method, a traditional tunnelling method.

Further, the East-West Metro corridor project will have an underwater tunnel and the section will be equipped with all the necessary facilities and safety measures. There will be tunnels for the evacuation of passengers in case of any emergency. As per an official, 80% of the construction work is complete.

The Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (KMRCL), a government enterprise established in 2008, is undertaking the construction of the East-West corridor project of the Kolkata Metro. In July 2019, it handed over the operations of the Metro Line 2 to Metro Railway, Kolkata, which is the owner and operator of the Kolkata Metro, along with KMRCL. The Metro Railway, Kolkata, will also operate other metro lines after the completion of the construction work. The inaugural train zoomed-off from the Kolkata Metro station at Sector V to traverse a 4.88-km distance to the Stadium

See also: All about Mumbai Metro including the Mumbai Metro Map

Kolkata Metro route

In March 2022, the Kolkata Metro Railway officially assigned colour codes to the different metro corridors and the new extended metro lines under various phases of implementation.

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Kolkata Metro Line 1 (Blue Line)

Kolkata Metro Line 1 stations	Layout
Dakshineswar	Elevated
Baranagar	Elevated
Noapara	Elevated
Dum Dum	Elevated
Belgachhia	Underground
Shyambazaar	Underground
Shobhabazar Sutanuti	Underground
Girish Park	Underground
Mahatma Gandhi Road	Underground
Central	Underground
Chandni Chowk	Underground
Esplanade	Underground
Park Street	Underground
Maidan	Underground
Rabindra Sadan	Underground
Netaji Bhavan	Underground
Jatin Das Park	Underground
Kalighat	Underground
Rabindra Sarobar	Underground
Mahanayak Uttam Kumar	At-Grade
Netaji	Elevated
Masterda Surya Sen	Elevated
Gitanjali	Elevated
Kavi Nazrul	Elevated
Shahid Khudiram	Elevated
Kavi Subhash	At-Grade

See also: All about Chennai metro

The Line 1 of Kolkata Metro is the North-South Metro line. It is now referred to as the Blue Line. The route comprises 26 stations with 15 underground stations, two stations on the surface and 9 elevated stations. It covers about 32 kilometres of distance from Kavi Subhas to Dakshineswar.

The oldest metro line that was started in the city on October 24, 1984, was a small section of 3.4 kilometres, connecting Esplanade to Bhowanipore (now Netaji Bhavan). More sections were later opened, such as Tollygunge metro station to New Garia station along an elevated route. In 2013, the line was extended in the north with a new section connecting Dum Dum station to Noapara. In February 2021, a four-km section from Noapara to Dakshineswar became operational.

See also: All you need to know about the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA)

 

Kolkata Metro Line 2 (Green Line)

Kolkata Metro Line 2 stations	Layout
Teghoria / Haldiram	Elevated
Raghunathpur	Elevated
Baguiati	Elevated
Dum Dum Park	Elevated
Kestopur	Elevated
Bandhan Bank Salt Lake Sector V	Elevated
Karunamoyee	Elevated
Central Park	Elevated
LICI City Center	Elevated
Bengal Chemical	Elevated
IFA Salt Lake Stadium	Elevated
Phoolbagan	Underground
Sealdah	Underground
Esplanade	Underground
New Mahakaran	Underground
Howrah	Underground
Howrah Maidan	Underground

 

The Kolkata Metro Line 2 route includes a total of 17 stations with 11 elevated stations and six underground stations spanning a distance of 22 kms. On February 13, 2020, the first phase of the East West Metro corridor from Salt Lake Sector V to Salt Lake Stadium was inaugurated. The Phoolbagan Metro station was the first underground metro station in the East West Metro route to be opened.

See also: Know about the Mumbai Metro line 3 route map

 

East west metro route: Kolkata Metro underwater tunnel

Prime minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the underwater metro, on the Howrah Maidan-Esplanade section of the East-West corridor, on March 6, 2024. The project has been developed at a cost of Rs 4,965 crore.

The 16.6-kilometre-long East-West Metro corridor includes 5.8 kms of the elevated route and 10.8 kms of an underground section. Of this 16.6-km stretch, 520 metres will be under the riverbed of the river Hooghly. The twin cities of Kolkata and Howrah will be connected by an underwater tunnel that will be developed 33 metres below the riverbed of the river Hooghly. The Green Line will finally connect Howrah with Teghoria.

Howrah station is the deepest metro station in India at 33 metres below the surface. Twin tunnels of 520-metre have been constructed 13 metres below the river bed, connecting Mahakaran (BBD Bag) on the eastern banks of Hooghly with Howrah station on the western banks.

The tunnel across the river has been developed in a record time of 66 days. It connects the Howrah Station complex on the western bank to the Armenian Ghat on the eastern bank. The tunnel is built 350 metre downstream of the Howrah Bridge (Rabindra Setu).

 

Kolkata Metro Line 3 (Purple Line)

The Line 3 of the Kolkata Metro is under construction. The route will start from Joka Metro station in the south and connect Esplanade in the north, covering a distance of around 15 kms. The project will be developed by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) owned by the Indian Railways.

The initial phase of the Joka-Esplanade Metro line (Line 3), which has been facing severe delays in completion, will only operate between Joka and Taratala. The completion of the East-West Metro has been significantly delayed owing to three incidents during the past three years while tunnelling at Bowbazar in central Kolkata.

The metro stations on this route include Kidderpore, Victoria, Park Street and Esplanade.

 

Kolkata Metro Line 4 (Yellow Line)

The Line 4 or the Yellow Line metro route in Kolkata will connect Noapara and Barasat in North 24 Parganas. This Kolkata Metro route, which is under construction, will be around 16.8 kms.

Kolkata metro stations	Layout
Noapara	Elevated
Dum Dum Cantonment	Elevated
Jessore Road	At-grade
Biman Bandar	Underground
Birati	Underground
Michael Nagar	Underground
New Barrackpore	Underground
Madhyamgram	Underground
Hridaypur	Underground
Barasat	Undergroud

 

Kolkata Metro Line 5 (Pink Line)

A 12.5-km metro stretch will be developed, connecting Baranagar to Barrackpore as part of the Kolkata Metro’s Pink Line route. The section will include 11 stations.

Kolkata Metro Line 5 Stations

Baranagar

Kamarhati

Agarpara

Panihati

Sodepur

Subhash Nagar

Khardaha

Tata Gate

Titagarh

Talpukur

Barrackpore

 

Kolkata Metro Line 6 (Orange Line)

This 29.8-km route of Kolkata Metro will link New Garia with Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport via the two satellite towns of Salt Lake and New Town. Once opened, metro Line 6 route in Kolkata will provide easy access to the Kolkata Airport, especially for those living in the southern and the eastern parts of the city.

Kavi Subash – Hemanta Mukherjee section will be developed as part of Kavi Subhash-Dumdum Airport via Rajarhat’s new metro line. The section has been built at a cost of Rs 1,550 crore. Once operational, the two metro lines of the Kolkata metro network will be linked at Kavi Subhash station.

The Kolkata Metro Railway is conducting trial runs on the Kavi-Subash-Hemanta Mukhopadhyay section. The section has received the required approval from the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS). The metro has completed five round trips using an air-conditioned Medha rake to assess factors such as track conditions, power supply, proper docking of the rake, and the efficiency of station staff.

The Kavi-Subash-Hemanta Mukhopadhyay section was inaugurated on March 6, 2024.

The Metro Railway authorities in Kolkata have conducted trial runs on the newly extended section of the Orange Line, from Ruby Crossing to Beleghata station along the EM bypass. The extended section of the Kolkata Orange Line route covers 4.39 kilometre in length. The metro section connects Hemanta Mukhopadhyay station in the south to Beleghata in the north.

 

Kavi Subash – Hemanta Mukherjee Metro line stations:

Kolkata Metro Line 6 stations	Layout
Kavi Subhash (New Garia area)	Elevated
Satyajit Ray (Hiland Park Area)	Elevated
Jyotirindra Nandi (Metro Cash & Carry and Ajoy Nagar Area	Elevated
Kavi Sukanta (Abhishikta Crossing Area)	Elevated
Hemanta Mukhopadhyay (Rubi Area)	At Grade

 Check out: Rent house in Kolkata 

Kolkata Metro map

Source: Metro Railway, Kolkata

 

 *Map of East West Metro Corridor

Source: KMRC

Also check out Kochi Metro Map

 

Kolkata Metro construction timeline

October 1984	The oldest metro line connecting Esplanade to Netaji Bhavan in Bhowanipore was started in Kolkata.
September 1995	The 16.45-km stretch from Dum Dum to Tollygunge Metro station became operational.
February 2009	The foundation stone for the underwater metro tunnel was laid.
March 2009	Construction work on the underwater metro tunnel was started.
October 2010	The final, 1.58-km stretch, from Kavi Nazrul to Kavi Subhash started functioning.
December 2010	Metro Railway was granted the status of a Zonal railway.
July 2013	A new section from Dum Dum to Noapara became operational.
July 2019	KMRC handed over the Line 2 Metro operations to Kolkata Metro Railway.
February 2020	Phase 1 of the East-West corridor from Salt Lake Sector V to Howrah Maidan became operational.
October 2020	The East-West Metro corridor was extended from Salt Lake Stadium metro station to Phoolbagan metro station.
February 2021	The Noapara-Dakshineswar metro route of around 4 kms became operational.
March 2022	Kolkata Metro Railway assigned colour codes to the different metro corridors
February 2023	Rs 2,550 crore budget allocated for Dum Dum airport-New Garia and Joka-Esplanade Metro projects
March 6, 2023	Howrah Maidan-Esplanade Metro section, Kavi Subhash-Hemanta Mukhopadhyay Metro section and Taratala-Majerhat Metro section (part of Joka- Esplanade line) inaugurated on March 6, 2024

See also: All about New Town Kolkata

 

Kolkata Metro North-South Line-1 fare

Zone	Distance	Fare
Zone 1	Up to 5 km	Rs 5
Zone 2	5 to 10 km	Rs 10
Zone 3	10 to 15 km	Rs 15
Zone 4	15 to 20 km	Rs 15
Zone 5	20 to 25 km	Rs 20
Zone 6	25 to 30 km	Rs 25

Commuters can also avail of the smart card.

 

Kolkata Metro East-West Line-2 fare

Zone	Distance	Fare
Zone 1	0 to 2 km	Rs 5
Zone 2	0 to 5 km	Rs 10
Zone 3	5 to 10 km	Rs 20
Zone 4	10 to 15 km	Rs 30

 

Kolkata Metro latest updates

L-shaped subway to connect Howrah Railway Station with metro

May 1, 2024: According to officials, an L-shaped subway connecting the East-West metro station with Howrah Railway Station, which is Asia’s busiest railway station, is expected to be opened in June 2024, mentioned a Timesnow report. This will enable seamless movement of the commuters to the railway station without exiting the metro station.

The subway has been designed with modern features, including two escalators, a staircase and CCTV surveillance.

Kolkata Metro opens Mahakaran Station on Green Line

December 4, 2023: The Mahakaaran Metro Station on the Kolkata Metro Green Line has been opened for the public. The new metro station, a part of the Kolkata Metro’s East-West corridor, is strategically located near the BBD Bagh area of Kolkata to cater to the high passenger demand in the region.

It has been designed as per international norms and is equipped with the latest features and passenger amenities, such as wide concourses, escalators and elevators. There are 10 gates and two have been designated for wheelchair-bound passengers. It is one of the four underground metro stations on the corridor’s truncated section from Esplanade to Howrah Maidan, with Esplanade and Mahakaran on the Kolkata side and Howrah Station and Howrah Maidan across Hooghly.

Kolkata Metro network plans to cover 100 kilometres by 2026

According to the Metro Railway general manager, Arun Arora, the Kolkata Metro network is likely to cover a length of about 100 kilometres in the next four years. This will include Phase 1 of Joka to Esplanade and New Garia to the Kolkata airport sections.

Info. regarding: Ramnagar pin code

 

Kolkata Metro Mobile application

The Metro Railway Kolkata provides a mobile application for the commuters, which is available on the Play Store. Through this application, users can access useful information related to metro fare, nearest station, train timings, smartcard recharge facility, etc. The app also displays helpline numbers for emergencies on the Kolkata Metro app.

 

Kolkata Metro: Token and smart card

Kolkata Metro commuters can avail of tokens, which are valid for a day and a single journey. The passenger must enter the gate within 45 minutes of the purchase time. It becomes invalid if the passenger fails to enter the area within this time. The token cannot be replaced if it is misplaced. Failure to deposit the token at the exit gate will result in a penalty of Rs 250.

How to apply for a Kolkata Metro Recharge Card?

Smart cards are available at all Kolkata Metro stations. Commuters can recharge Kolkata Metro Smart card for any amount of Rs 100, Rs 200, Rs 300, Rs 500 and Rs 1,000, up to a maximum balance of Rs 5,000. A 10% bonus on flat rate is available on issuing new smart cards (minus SD) and further on recharge of smart cards.

How to recharge Kolkata Metro Smart Card online?

Commuters can download the Metro Ride Kolkata mobile app to check the smart card balance online.

One can also visit the Kolkata Metro online recharge portal to check the smart card balance.

• Enter the metro card number and retype it to confirm
• Submit your email address and mobile number
• Enter the captcha code
• Choose the recharge amount from the options (Rs 100, Rs 200, Rs 300, Rs 500, and Rs 1,000)
• Click the ‘Make payment’ link
• Select the preferred payment mode to complete the transaction

How to check Kolkata Metro card balance?

At present, there is no facility to check the Kolkata Metro card balance online. Commuters can check their Metro card balance amount at any Metro station through the Add Value Machine (AVM).

 

Kolkata Metro: Real estate impact

Kolkata has witnessed the inauguration of new metro lines – the Howrah Maidan-Esplanade section, the Taratala-Majherhat section and Kavi Subhash-Hemanta Mukhopadhyay section. With these developments, connectivity has significantly enhanced, reducing travel time for the commuters. Further, the new metro lines and upcoming metro have led to increased commercial developments along these routes. Moreover, owing to the enhanced connectivity, there is a significant rise in demand for properties. This is also expected to boost property prices.

 

Kolkata Metro: Interesting facts

• Kolkata Metro is the oldest metro route in India.
• The metro services have the least fare in the world.
• Kolkata Metro has 10 stations named after famous personalities from Bengal.
• It has capacity to cater to more than five lakh passengers every day.
• Kolkata Metro has the country’s first underwater metro tunnel.

 

Kolkata Metro: Nearest tourist attraction

Landmark	Nearest metro station	Distance from metro station
M P Birla Planetarium	Maidan	0.6 km
Victoria Memorial	Rabindra Sadan	1 km
Netaji Bhavan	Rabindra Sadan	0.8 km
St. Paul’s Cathedral	Rabindra Sadan	0.8 km
Rabindra Sarobar	Rabindra Sarobar	1.8 km
Fort William	Maidan	3.9 km
Kalighat Mandir	Kalighat	0.9 km
Marble place	MG Road	0.4 km
Royal Kolkata Golf Club	Mahanayak Uttam Nagar	2.6 km
Shaheed Minar	Esplanade	0.8 km
Eden Gardens	Esplanade	1 km
Indian Museum	Park Street	0.4 km

 

Kolkata Metro: Contact information

Commuters can contact on the following email, phone or address for any queries:

Address: Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation Ltd, HRBC Complex, KMRCL Bhawan 2nd and 3rd floor, Munsi Premchand Sarani, Kolkata – 700021

Phone Number: 66071117

Email address: [email protected]

 

Housing.com News Viewpoint

The Kolkata Metro network is witnessing expansion with various metro lines under construction stage. The metro passes through prominent residential and commerical localities as well as important landmarks and tourist attractions, enhancing easy access for the residents. This has led to real estate investment opportunities along these corridors.

 

FAQs

When was the first metro started in Kolkata?

The first metro section in Kolkata that became operational was a small section of a 3.4-kilometre stretch from Esplanade to Netaji Bhavan in Bhowanipore.

Is Kolkata Metro Line 2 operational?

Phase 1 of the East West Metro corridor, connecting Salt Lake Sector V to Salt Lake stadium, was inaugurated on February 13, 2020.

Is metro available in Howrah?

The Howrah Maidan-Esplanade Metro section was inaugurated on March 6, 2024.

What is the name of the metro tunnel in Howrah?

The Hooghly River underwater metro tunnel in Kolkata is also known as the East West Metro tunnel.

How deep is the Howrah Maidan metro?

The Howrah station is the deepest metro station in India at 33 metre below the surface.

Which metro lines in Kolkata are operational?

The Green Line and Blue Line of Kolkata Metro are operational.

Has Sealdah metro started?

The Sealdah metro station became operational on July 14, 2022.

 

Got any questions or point of view on our article? We would love to hear from you. Write to our Editor-in-Chief Jhumur Ghosh at [email protected]