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.
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.
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. Also, the Majerhat Metro Station on the Taratala-Majerhat Metro section is a unique elevated metro station across railway lines, platforms and canal.
Read on to know the complete route details of Kolkata Metro network and latest updates on the Kolkata Metro expansion project.
See also: All about Kanpur metro route and Kanpure metro map
Kolkata Metro expansion construction status
On August 22, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated three metro sections located on green, orange and yellow metro lines. These include are 2.45 km stretch from Sealdah to Esplanade, 6.77 km stretche from Noapara to Jaihind Bimanbandar and 4.39 km stretch from Hemanta Mukhopadhyay to Beleghata.
Kolkata Metro to add 19-km by 2026 end
According to Kolkata Metro Railway, metro lines of 19 km will be added by the end of 2026. Currently, the metro network covers around 72 km. Around 57 km has been sanctioned of which 29 km is in progress. Another 19 km will be added by the end of 2026, which will connect Beleghata metro station with the airport. In 2029, metro line of 10 km will be added, linking Mejerhat with Esplanade, and the airport with Michael Nagar. In the next few years, Kolkata will have metro network spanning around 130 km, Metro Railway general manager Subhransu Mishra said as cited in a TOI report.
Orange metro line expansion
The Kolkata Metro is planning to make the entire Orange Line operational by December 2026. The line will then span a length of 32 km. The June 2025 deadline to link Sector V was missed owing to the unavailability of the site for bridging the last 366 m gap at Chingrighata crossing, Metro Railway GM Subhransu Mishra said. This gap will be filled and girder-launching atop Chingrighata crossing would be completed in the second and third week of November.
Kolkata Metro to increase Purple Line services and revamp Blue Line
November 27, 2025: Kolkata Metro has announced that it will operate more trains on the Purple Metro line. The train services on the Purple Line will begin from 6:40 am and continue till 9:26 pm. The number of train services on the Purple line on weekdays has been increased from 80 to 84. From December 1, the first train on the Purple Line will start from Joka at 6:40 am and Majherhat at 9:26 pm. Train services were introduced on the 7.75 km metro line on Saturdays from November 22, 2025, while services remain shut on the line on Sundays.
Further, Kolkata Metro Railway has planned a series of infrastructure upgrades to improve the frequency of trains on the Blue Line. The metro line has experienced frequent snags and delays, affecting commuters. The Kolkata Metro aims to achieve peak-hour frequency of three minutes by 2030 and later to 90 seconds. Currently, the frequency on this oldest metro line is 6 to 10 minutes. Moreover, the metro agency plans to undertake major infrastructure upgrades to ensure a comfortable travel experience for commuters.
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 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.
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 Kavi-Subash-Hemanta Mukhopadhyay section was inaugurated on March 6, 2024.
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. The Yellow Line has a 6.77 section with four stations – Noapara, Dum Dum Cantonment, Jessore Road and Jai Hind Bimanbandar. This will also offer the direct metro link to the airport, augmenting connectivity in the city.
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 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 increases smart card validity to 10 years, reduces refundable security deposit
September 25, 2025: The Kolkata Metro Railway has increased the validity period of the card from one year at present to ten years. The validity of the existing valid cards will be extended further up to ten years at the time of recharge at the time of recharge. The current refundable security deposit of the smart card has been reduced to Rs 50 from Rs 80, the minimum issue price of the smart card has been reduced to Rs 100 from Rs 150. A security deposit of Rs 50, along with a ride value of Rs 52, including a bonus of Rs 2, will be applicable. As per a metro official, the validity of the newly issued cards will be considered from the first swipe onwards at the gate, but not from the first date of issue. The bonus of five per cent on recharge value will continue to apply.
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.
Recently, Kolkata Metro launched its innovative and upgraded mobile application aimed at improving user experience. The upgraded ‘Aamar Kolkata Metro’ app comes with several new features, including the integration of real-time train schedules, enabling passengers to plan their trips effectively and reduce waiting times at stations. The app will also have integration of QR-based mobile tickets. Commuters can simply scan the QR codes using their phones at the entry gates.
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.
Smart cards will be issued both from the self-operated digital ticket vending machines and booking counters. These cards can also be recharged from the digital ticket vending machines, online and from booking offices.
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).
What is the real estate impact of Kolkata Metro project?
Enhanced connectivity
The expansion of the Kolkata Metro has been a game changer for the city’s public transportation. The newly inaugurated metro lines have significantly enhanced connectivity by reducing travel time for the commuters and traffic congestion on roads. Moreover, the Yellow line connecting Naopara to Jai Hind Bimanbandar will also enable direct access to the airport. The new metro lines launched in August 2025 covering 13.61 km are expected to transform 50 minutes of road travel into faster, 11-minute metro ride.
Sushil Mohta, President, Credai West Bengal, Chairman, Merlin Group said “The inauguration of new metro routes will connect some of Kolkata’s busiest areas and bring a notable reduction in travel time while strengthening multimodal connectivity, benefitting lakhs of daily commuters.”
Push to economic growth
The metro expansion project has been a key driver for economic growth in the city. It has enhanced multi-modal connectivity and ensuring convenience for the residents. More importantly, the infrastructure project has give a major impetus to trade and tourism in the city owing to smooth connectivity factor, especially due to the faster airport access.
Boost to commercial developments
The expansion of the Kolkata Metro network is expected to steer new commercial developments. The 4.4-km Hemanta Mukhopadhyay–Beleghata metro line will connect key localities such as Science city and hospitals, schools and IT hubs. This will ease the east-south connectivity. Moreover, new metro lines like these have given a boost to the demand for properties, including commercial spaces like retail spaces, shops, etc.
The new routes will spur the growth of office segments in Sector V, Byepass area, Rajarhat and New Town. Sector five is going to be the new ‘Dalhousie square’. Newtown will be like a new Park Street – Camac Street area. With the connectivity, in future, we will see offices, healthcare, buildings, educational institutes, Retail, and entertainment hubs, and other social infrastructure coming up in for ‘far-flung’ areas like Howrah, Joka or North Calcutta, due to availability of connectivity, Mohta added.
In fact, the growth will be visible across the city as Kolkata experiences a new surge in mobility. The enhanced metro network will seamlessly link residential clusters with office hubs, making workplace access more convenient and expanding the catchment area for corporates to attract talent from different parts of the city. This ease of connectivity is expected to further fuel office leasing activity and encourage more companies to expand or set up operations in Kolkata. The city’s office market already showed robust growth in the first half of 2025, with a 60% year-on-year increase in leasing activity and a decade-high transaction volume of 1.4. million sq ft, and we are expecting 2 million sft of office Leasing in currant year.This growth was driven by strong demand from domestic firms and Global Capability Centers (GCCs), especially in the IT and ITES, BFSI, GCC, sectors. Sector V already sees the launch of the World Trade Center, by Merlin Group, which adds to the pride factor of Bengal. The coming years will also witness the emergence of shopping complexes and malls in North Kolkata,” he said.
Rise of new residential developments
With the increased economic activities around the region and favourable connectivity, the demand for homes near the metro corridors has significantly increased in recent years. Many home seekers, especially working professionals, prefer to reside near a metro station for easy access to the workplace. Moreover, the significant rise in demand for properties is also expected to boost property prices.
According to Saket Mohta, MD, Merlin Group, connectivity brings growth and prosperity, it opens the new job opportunities and help in growth of healthcare, education, and other social sectors. As people from far of areas can avail the infrastructure and facilities. “The new metro line inauguration will catapult residential sales to a new height across Kolkata, particularly the suburbs, where prices are affordable, as it will enhance mobility of people and connect Howrah, North Kolkata with Airport Area and Byepass area and to Central Kolkata as well.
Overall Kolkata’s residential segment experienced significant growth in the first half of 2025, driven by a robust 105% surge in new project launches and strong demand for mid-range and luxury properties. This can be attributed to metro line expansion largely and factors like infrastructure development, have enhanced attributed to the growth. The price of peripheral areas in southern bypass and beyond will go up adding new residential projects and urbanization of the city will be done fostering steady overall market growth. It will specially see a whopping growth in the launch of new projects in North Kolkata. However availability of suitable land in North Kolkata will be a question but greater part of Kolkata like Sodepur, Kamarhati and Titagarh segment will be impacted with this new Metro line connectivity through Noapara and upto existing line to Dakhnieswar.
Most of these areas where earlier dotted with medium and large industries, many of which are closed lands are lying unutilised, a suitable government policy can make these lands available for development of housing and commercial real estate. While Q1 of 2025 saw a slightly dip in total sales , this is attributed to a simultaneous increase in new units. The additional Metro line expansion will also increase the momentum in residential segment”, he said.
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: gm.admin@kmrc.in
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 jhumur.ghosh1@housing.com |