View source for Kolkata Metro

{{Short description|Rapid transit system in Kolkata, West Bengal}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{good article}}
{{Infobox public transit
| name = Kolkata Metro
| image = Kolkata_Metro_System_Logo.svg
| imagesize = 180px
| image2 = Esplanade_metro_station_green_line_12.jpg
| caption2 = A metro arriving at [[Mahakaran metro station]] of green line
| imagesize2 = 250px
| image3 = 
| caption3 = 
| locale = [[Kolkata]], [[West Bengal]], {{flag|India}}
| transit_type = [[Rapid Transit]]
| lines = {{ubl|'''6'''|___|4 operational|1 under construction|1 planned}}
| stations = '''[[List of Kolkata Metro stations|50]] (Operational)'''<br /> [[List of proposed Kolkata metro stations|28]] ''(Under Construction)'' <br /> [[List of proposed Kolkata metro stations|20]] ''(Planned)''
| website = {{plainlist|
* {{URL|https://mtp.indianrailways.gov.in/|mtp.indianrailways.gov.in}}
* {{URL|http://www.kmrc.in/|kmrc.in}}
}}
| ridership = '''{{lakh|5.9726}}''' (0.597 million, 2024-25)
| annual_ridership = {{crore|21.81}} (218.1 million, 2024-25)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://apacnewsnetwork.com/2025/04/kolkata-metro-railway-records-13-30-passenger-increase-in-2024-25/ | title=APAC Media &#124; Connecting, Communicating, Changing | date=2 April 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-04-02 |title=METRO CARRIED 21.81 CRORE PASSENGERS IN 2024-25 |url=https://mtp.indianrailways.gov.in/view_detail.jsp?lang=0&id=0,4,268&dcd=4884&did=17435752865180E43FEBD19DEAA0C7DEF08AE4E019D1A |access-date=2025-04-02 |work=[[Metro Railway, Kolkata]] Press Release}}</ref>
| chief_executive = {{plainlist|* P. Uday Kumar Reddy, [[General Manager|GM]] (Metro Railway)
* Anuj Mittal, [[Managing Director|MD]] (KMRC)}}
| headquarters = * [[Metro Railway, Kolkata]]: Metro Rail Bhavan, 33/1 J.L. Nehru Road, Kolkata – 700071<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mtp.indianrailways.gov.in/|title=Metro Railway Kolkata / Indian Railways Portal|website=mtp.indianrailways.gov.in|access-date=30 May 2019|archive-date=1 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190601015428/https://mtp.indianrailways.gov.in/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation]]: HRBC Complex, KMRCL Bhawan, 2nd & 3rd Floor, Munsi Premchand Sarani, Kolkata – 700021<ref>{{cite web|title=Registered Office|url=http://www.kmrc.in/contact_us.php|access-date=29 July 2020|website=kmrc.in|archive-date=15 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215083002/http://www.kmrc.in/contact_us.php|url-status=live}}</ref>
| began_operation = {{start date and age|1984|10|24|df=y}}
| operator = # [[Metro Railway, Kolkata]]
# [[Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation]]
| marks = 
| vehicles = Around 45
| train_length = 6 and 8 Coaches
| headway = * {{rcb|Kolkata Metro|Blue|croute}}: 6 - 15 minutes 
* {{rcb|Kolkata Metro|green|croute}} 1 (Sealdah to Salt Lake Sector V): 15 - 20 minutes
* {{rcb|Kolkata Metro|green|croute}} 2 (Esplanade to Howrah Maidan): 12 - 15 minutes
* {{rcb|Kolkata Metro|purple|croute}}: 24 minutes 
* {{rcb|Kolkata Metro|orange|croute}}: 20 minutes
| system_length = {{convert|59.38|km|mi|abbr=on}}
| track_gauge = {{plainlist|
* {{track gauge|1,676 mm|lk=on}} Broad-gauge (Blue, Purple & Orange Lines)
* {{track gauge|1,435mm|lk=on}} [[Standard-gauge railway|Standard-gauge]] (Green Line)
}}
| ogauge = 
| minimum_radius_of_curvature = 
| el = {{750 V DC|conductor=y}}
| average_speed = {{convert|60|km/h|mph|2|abbr=on}}
| top_speed = {{convert|100|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}
| map_name = Kolkata Metro all operational, under construction and planned lines
| map = 
| map_state = collapsed
| alt = 
| caption = 
| owner = [[Indian Railways]]
| native_name = 
| area served = [[Kolkata Metropolitan Area]]
| line_number = * '''Operational:'''<br/>{{rcb|Kolkata Metro|blue|croute}}

* '''Partially Operational:'''<br/>{{rcb|Kolkata Metro|green|croute}}<br/>{{rcb|Kolkata Metro|purple|croute}}<br/>{{rcb|Kolkata Metro|orange|croute}}
* '''Under Construction:'''<br/>{{rcb|Kolkata Metro|yellow|croute}}
* '''Planned:'''<br/>{{rcb|Kolkata Metro|pink|croute}}
| start = 
| end = 
| weekly_ridership = 
| character = 
| host = [[Indian Railways]]
}}
{{Kolkata Metro sidebar}}
The '''Kolkata Metro''' is a [[Urban rail transit in India|rapid transit]] system serving the city of [[Kolkata]] and the [[Kolkata metropolitan area|Kolkata Metropolitan Region]] in [[West Bengal]], [[India]]. Opened in 1984, it was the first operational [[rapid transit]] system in India. It is the second busiest metro network in India after the [[Delhi Metro]] and the [[Urban rail transit in India#List of systems|fifth-longest metro system in India]] after the [[Delhi Metro]], [[Namma Metro]], [[Hyderabad Metro]] and [[Mumbai Metro]]. It has one fully operational, and three partly operational lines for a total of {{convert|59.38|km|mi|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 November 2023 |title=KOLKATA METRO NETWORK EXPANDED BY 25.34 KM SINCE 2014, ANOTHER 13.27 KM LIKELY TO ADD IN 2023-2024 |url=https://mtp.indianrailways.gov.in/view_detail.jsp?lang=0&dcd=3680&id=0,4,268 |website=Kolkata Metro}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=PRIME MINISTER SHRI NARENDRA MODI INAUGURATED HOWRAH MAIDAN-ESPLANADE STRETCH OF EAST-WEST METRO AND OTHER METRO CORRIDORS TODAY |url=https://mtp.indianrailways.gov.in/view_detail.jsp?lang=0&id=0,4,268&dcd=3924&did=1709732766752EFE40D35130703F5AE83D8DB4F9F2BA7 |access-date=2024-03-06 |website=mtp.indianrailways.gov.in}}</ref> Two other lines are in various phases of construction and planning. The system has a mix of underground, at-grade, and elevated stations using both [[Broad-gauge railway|broad-gauge]] and [[Standard-gauge railway|standard-gauge]] tracks. It operates on a [[List of railway electrification systems|750 V DC]] [[Third rail]] system. Trains operate between 06:30 and 22:00 [[Indian Standard Time|IST]] and the fares range from ₹5 to ₹25.

The Kolkata Metro was initially planned in the 1920s, but construction started in the 1970s. The first underground stretch, from [[Bhowanipore|Bhawanipore]] (now [[Netaji Bhavan metro station|Netaji Bhawan]]) to [[Esplanade metro station|Esplanade]], opened in 1984. A truncated section of Green Line, or the East–West Corridor, from Salt Lake Sector V to Phoolbagan opened in 2020. Purple Line, or the Joka-[[Eden Gardens metro station|Eden Gardens]] Corridor (currently truncated in [[Majerhat metro station|Majerhat]]), opened in 2022 while Orange Line, from Kavi Subhash to [[Hemanta Mukhopadhyay metro station|Hemanta Mukhopadhyay]], opened in 2024. 

[[Metro Railway, Kolkata]] and [[Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation]] are the owners and operator of the system. On 29 December 2010, Metro Railway, Kolkata, became the 17th zone of the [[Indian Railways]], completely owned and funded by the [[Ministry of Railways (India)|Ministry of Railways]]. It is the only metro system in the country to be controlled by Indian Railways. Around 300 daily train trips carry more than {{Lakh|7}} passengers.

== History ==

=== Early attempts ===
In the September 1919 session of the Imperial Legislative Council at [[Shimla]], a committee was set up by [[Walter Ewing Crum|W. E. Crum]] that recommended a metro line for [[Kolkata]] (formerly [[Calcutta]]).<ref name=":15" /> This line was supposed to connect Bagmari in the east to Benaras Road, [[Salkia]], in Howrah in the west via a tunnel beneath [[Hooghly River]]. The estimated construction costs were £3,526,154, about {{INRConvert|36.4|c|lk=on|year=1921}} based on current exchange rates, and the proposed deadline was 1925–1926. The proposed line was {{convert|10.4|km|mi|abbr=on}} long, about {{convert|4|km|mi|abbr=on}} shorter than the current [[Green Line (Kolkata Metro)|Green Line]], which would connect [[Eastern Bengal Railway|East Bengal Railway]] in Bagmari and [[East Indian Railway Company|East Indian Railway]] in Benaras Road. The tickets were priced at 3 annas ({{INR}} 0.1875) for the full trip. Crum also mentioned a north–south corridor back then. An east–west metro railway connection, named the "East–West Tube Railway", was proposed for Kolkata in 1921 by [[Harley Dalrymple-Hay]].<ref name="BBC">{{cite news |last1=Banerjie |first1=Monideepa |title=Kolkata metro: A British engineer's unrealised India underwater train |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-65773871 |access-date=15 March 2024 |work=bbc.com |publisher=BBC |date=10 June 2023 |location=Kolkata}}</ref> All the reports can be found in his 1921 book ''Calcutta Tube Railways.'' However, in 1923, the proposal was not undertaken due to a lack of funds.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ganguly|first=Deepankar|date=23 August 2014|title=Metro missed the train to Piccadilly|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/metro-missed-the-train-to-piccadilly/cid/1286509|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822120820/https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/metro-missed-the-train-to-piccadilly/cid/1286509|archive-date=22 August 2020|access-date=10 May 2020|website=The Telegraph|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":15">{{cite web|last=Jayanta Gupta|date=5 Feb 2020|title=Kolkata's Tube Railway plan nipped in bud a century ago|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/citys-tube-rly-plan-nipped-in-bud-a-century-ago/articleshow/73944018.cms|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200208230956/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/citys-tube-rly-plan-nipped-in-bud-a-century-ago/articleshow/73944018.cms|archive-date=8 February 2020|access-date=11 February 2020|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Das|first=Madhuparna|date=2020-03-05|title=100 years in the making, why Kolkata's east-west corridor is world's slowest metro project|url=https://theprint.in/india/100-years-in-the-making-why-kolkatas-east-west-corridor-is-worlds-slowest-metro-project/369971/|access-date=2020-08-08|website=ThePrint|language=en-US|archive-date=30 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200330122551/https://theprint.in/india/100-years-in-the-making-why-kolkatas-east-west-corridor-is-worlds-slowest-metro-project/369971/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Planning ===
Then the [[Chief Minister of West Bengal]], [[Bidhan Chandra Roy]], reconceived the idea of an underground railway for Kolkata from 1949 to 1950. A team of [[France|French]] experts conducted a survey, but nothing concrete materialized. Efforts to solve the traffic problem by augmenting the existing fleet of public transport vehicles hardly helped, since roads accounted for only 4.2&nbsp;percent of the surface area in Kolkata, compared with 25&nbsp;percent in [[Delhi]] and 30&nbsp;percent in other cities. To find alternative solutions, the Metropolitan Transport Project (MTP) was set up in 1969. The MTP, with the help of [[USSR|Soviet]] specialists, Lenmetroproekt and [[East Germany|East German]] engineers, prepared a master plan to provide five rapid-transit (metro) lines for the city of Kolkata, totaling a length of {{convert|97.5|km|mi|abbr=on}}, in 1971.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web |url=http://www.kmrc.in/overview.php |title=Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation Ltd |publisher=Kmrc.in |access-date=27 January 2016 |archive-date=2 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170602200841/http://www.kmrc.in/overview.php |url-status=live }}</ref> Three were selected for construction. These were:<ref name=":0">{{cite web|title=Metro Railway – Kolkata, Route Map|url=http://www.kolmetro.com/metroRoute.html|date=9 December 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041209125755/http://www.kolmetro.com/metroRoute.html|access-date=16 May 2020|archive-date=9 December 2004 |url-status=usurped}}</ref><ref name=":13">{{cite web|title=Brief History of Construction of Metro Railway Kolkata|url=https://mtp.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0,1,304,375,502|date=15 January 2020|website=mtp.indianrailways.gov.in|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190217162116/http://mtp.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0,1,304,375,502|archive-date=17 February 2019|access-date=20 May 2020}}</ref>

# [[Dum Dum]] – [[Tollygunge]] (Blue Line. Presently operates from  [[Dakshineswar]] to [[New Garia]])
# [[Bidhannagar]] – [[Ramrajatala]] (Green Line. Presently truncated till [[Sailen Manna Stadium|Howrah Maidan]])
# [[Dakshineswar]] – [[Thakurpukur]] (Divided into Blue Line: [[Noapara, West Bengal|Noapara]] to Dakshineswar and Purple Line: [[Joka, Kolkata|Joka]] to [[Eden Gardens]])

The highest priority was given to the busy north–south corridor between Dum Dum and Tollygunge over a length of {{convert|16.45|km|mi|abbr=on}}; work on this project was approved on 1 June 1972. A tentative deadline was fixed to complete all the corridors by 1991.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Mukherjee|first=Devjyot Ghoshal & Sharmistha|date=3 November 2009|title=Delhi Metro speeds past Kolkata's|work=Business Standard India|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/delhi-metro-speeds-past-kolkata-s-109110300031_1.html|access-date=15 May 2020|archive-date=30 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141230195542/http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/delhi-metro-speeds-past-kolkata-s-109110300031_1.html|url-status=live}}</ref>    

=== Construction ===
[[File:Kolkata Metro evolution.gif|thumb|326x326px|Evolution of Kolkata Metro from 1984 to 2022|alt=]]

====North-South Metro====
[[File:Calcutta-line1.jpg|left|thumb|Shyambazar-Belgachhia Section (Shield tunneling using compressed air and airlocks) using Hungarian expertise during its construction in the 1980s.|alt=]]
Since it was India's first metro and was constructed as a completely indigenous process, a traditional [[cut-and-cover]] method and driven [[Tunnelling shield|shield tunneling]] was chosen and the Kolkata Metro was more of a trial-and-error affair, in contrast to the [[Delhi Metro]], which saw the involvement of multiple international consultants. As a result, it took nearly 23 years to completely construct the {{convert|17|km|mi|abbr=on}} underground railway.<ref name=":13" /><ref>{{cite web|date=10 September 2007|title=Metro Railway, Kolkata|url=http://www.kolmetro.com/features/construc.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070910194011/http://www.kolmetro.com/features/construc.html|archive-date=10 September 2007|access-date=30 May 2020|website=kolmetro.com|url-status=usurped}}</ref>

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. Initially, [[Cut-and-cover|cut and cover]] along with [[slurry wall]] construction to handle soft ground, was recommended by the [[Soviet Union]] consultants. Later, in 1977, it was decided to adopt both shield tunneling and cut and cover methods for the construction of underpopulated areas, sewer lines, water mains, electrical cables, telephone cables, tram lines, canals, etc. The technology was provided by M/s NIKEX Hungarian Co., Budapest.<ref name=":19">{{Cite journal|last=Ghosal|first=Mainak|title=Challenges faced(then & now)during Kolkata Metro Construction – A Study|url=https://www.academia.edu/37779455|journal=Structural Engineering Digest|date=January 2018 |language=en|access-date=15 July 2020|archive-date=22 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822120754/https://www.academia.edu/37779455/Challenges_faced_then_and_now_during_Kolkata_Metro_Construction_A_Study|url-status=live}}</ref> In the early days, the project was led by the [[Minister of Railways (India)|Union Railway Minister]] from West Bengal, [[A. B. A. Ghani Khan Choudhury]], often against the prevailing socio-political stance of his contemporaries in the West Bengal government. From the start of construction, the project had to contend with several problems including insufficient funds (until 1977–1978), a shifting of underground utilities, court injunctions, and an irregular supply of vital materials.<ref name=":13" /><ref name=":7" /> In 1977, an injunction for the allocation of new funding was passed by the newly elected [[Jyoti Basu]] government.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Hall |first1=Andrew |date=2006 |title=Reinventing Calcutta |journal=Asian Affairs |volume=37 |issue=3 |pages=353–360 |doi=10.1080/03068370600906515 |s2cid=218620885 }}</ref>

Despite all the hurdles, services began on 24 October 1984, with the commissioning of a partial commercial service covering a distance of {{convert|3.40|km|mi|abbr=on}} with five stations served between Esplanade and [[Bhowanipore|Bhowanipur]] (currently [[Netaji Bhavan metro station|Netaji Bhavan]]).<ref name="autogenerated1" /> The first metro was driven by Tapan Kumar Nath and Sanjoy Kumar Sil.<ref>{{cite web|last=Chakraborty|first=Ajanta|date=13 Feb 2020|title=West Bengal: Three drivers on roster to steer the first train|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/west-bengal-three-drivers-on-roster-to-steer-the-first-train/articleshow/74111444.cms|access-date=2021-09-22|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> The service was quickly followed by commuter services on another {{convert|2.15|km|mi|abbr=on}} stretch in the north between [[Dum Dum Metro Station|Dum Dum]] and [[Belgachhia Metro Station|Belgachhia]] on 12 November 1984. The commuter service was extended to [[Mahanayak Uttam Kumar metro station|Tollygunge]] on 29 April 1986, covering a further distance of {{convert|4.24|km|mi|abbr=on}}, making the service available over a distance of {{convert|9.79|km|mi|abbr=on}} and covering 11 stations. However, the services on the north section were suspended starting 26 October 1992, as this small, isolated section was little used.<ref name=":7">{{cite web|date=13 March 2020|title=Metro Railway, Kolkata, the confluence of culture, technology and eco-friendliness|url=https://mtp.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?fontColor=black&backgroundColor=LIGHTSTEELBLUE&lang=0&id=0,1|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190705075812/https://mtp.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?fontColor=black&backgroundColor=LIGHTSTEELBLUE&lang=0&id=0,1|archive-date=5 July 2019|access-date=20 May 2020|website=mtp.indianrailways.gov.in}}</ref> The [[Blue Line (Kolkata Metro)|Blue Line]] was almost entirely built by cut and cover method, while a small 1.09&nbsp;km stretch between Belgachia and Shyambazar was built using shield tunneling with compressed air and air locks, since the alignment crossed a railway yard (now [[Kolkata railway station]]) and [[Maratha Ditch|Circular Canal]].<ref name=":19" /><ref>[[Media:Kolkata Old Map.jpg|Kolkata Old Map.jpg]] {{Cite web |title=Archived copy |url=https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/82/Kolkata_Old_Map.jpg |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822120804/https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/82/Kolkata_Old_Map.jpg |archive-date=22 August 2020 |access-date=15 July 2020}} Lt. Col Mark Wood's Map of Kolkata in 1784–85 showing the extent of the Maratha Ditch</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last1=Saha|first1=Gouranga Prasad|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/309203034|title=Calcutta Metro – Construction by 'Cut and Cover' and 'Shield Tunneling' Methods|last2=Chaudhary|first2=P.R.|year=1995|access-date=20 May 2020|archive-date=22 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822120804/https://www.researchgate.net/publication/309203034_Calcutta_Metro_-_Construction_by_Cut_and_Cover_and_Shield_Tunneling_Methods|url-status=live}}</ref>

After more than eight years, the {{convert|1.62|km|mi|abbr=on}} [[Belgachhia Metro Station|Belgachhia]]–[[Shyambazaar Metro Station|Shyambazaar]] section, along with the Dum Dum–Belgachhia stretch, was opened on 13 August 1994. Another {{convert|0.71|km|mi|abbr=on}} stretch from [[Esplanade Metro Station|Esplanade]] to [[Chandni Chowk metro station, Kolkata|Chandni Chowk]] was commissioned shortly afterward, on 2 October 1994. The [[Shyambazaar Metro Station|Shyambazaar]]-[[Shobhabazar Sutanuti Metro Station|Shobhabazar]]–[[Girish Park Metro Station|Girish Park]] ({{convert|1.93|km|mi|disp=sqbr|abbr=on}}) and [[Chandni Chowk metro station (Kolkata)|Chandni Chowk]]–[[Central (Kolkata Metro)|Central]] ({{convert|0.60|km|mi|disp=sqbr|abbr=on}}) sections were opened on 19 February 1995. Services on the entire stretch of the Metro were introduced from 27 September 1995 by bridging the {{convert|1.80|km|mi|abbr=on}} gap with [[Mahatma Gandhi Road metro station (Kolkata)|Mahatma Gandhi Road metro station]] in the middle.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kolkata Metro on a Reform Roadmap|url=http://www.mtp.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0,1,283|date=4 December 2019|website=mtp.indianrailways.gov.in|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130819175710/http://www.mtp.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0,1,283|archive-date=19 August 2013|access-date=18 July 2013}}</ref>

In 1999–2000, the extension of [[Blue Line (Kolkata Metro)|Blue Line]] along an elevated corridor from Tollygunge to New Garia, with six stations, was sanctioned at a cost of {{INRConvert|907|c|lk=on|year=1999}}.<ref>{{cite web|title=Metro Railway, Kolkata|url=http://www.kolmetro.com/features/expansion.html|date=9 December 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041209134604/http://www.kolmetro.com/features/expansion.html|access-date=10 May 2020|archive-date=9 December 2004 |url-status=usurped}}</ref> The section was constructed and opened in two phases, [[Mahanayak Uttam Kumar metro station|Mahanayak Uttam Kumar]] to [[Kavi Nazrul Metro Station|Kavi Nazrul]] in 2009 and Kavi Nazrul to [[Kavi Subhash Metro Station|Kavi Subhash]] in 2010. In the north, the line was extended till [[Noapara metro station and depot|Noapara]] from Dum Dum on 10 July 2013.<ref name=":9">{{cite web|last=Chakraborty|first=Ajanta|date=25 December 2012|title=From April, fly to Naoapara from Garia in 54 mins flat|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/From-April-fly-to-Naoapara-from-Garia-in-54-mins-flat/articleshow/17755839.cms|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822120753/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/From-April-fly-to-Naoapara-from-Garia-in-54-mins-flat/articleshow/17755839.cms|archive-date=22 August 2020|access-date=20 May 2020|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> The latest extension opened was the {{convert|4.1|km|mi|abbr=on}} stretch from [[Noapara Metro Station|Noapara]] to Dakshineswar on 23 February 2021.<ref name=":13" /><ref name=":7" /><ref>{{cite web |last=Chakraborty |first=Ajanta |date=22 Feb 2021 |title=Dakshineswar Metro to link Kolkata with districts |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/dakshineswar-metro-to-link-kol-with-districts/articleshow/81141926.cms |access-date=2022-03-08 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref>

====East-West Metro====
[[File:Hooghly river underwater metro tunnel as seen in Narendra Modi's video (cropped).jpg|thumb|Hooghly River Underwater metro tunnel segment]]
The master plan of the metro corridor was made in 1971 along with the North–South Corridor, connecting the office district of [[Bidhannagar]] with the twin city and [[Transport hub|transportation hub]] [[Howrah Junction railway station|Howrah]] via another transport hub of the city, [[Sealdah railway station|Sealdah]], and the [[central business district]] [[Esplanade, Kolkata|Esplanade]] by an underwater metro line. It is a {{INRConvert|4874.6|c|lk=on|year=2008}} project, sanctioned in 2008 by Prime Minister [[Manmohan Singh]]. The foundation stone was laid on 22 February 2009 and construction started in March 2009.<ref name="Underground Metro">{{cite web|title=Hindustan Times – Archive News|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/archive-news/|website=Hindustan Times|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071010062814/http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1847058%2C000600010003.htm|archive-date=10 October 2007}}</ref> The autonomous [[Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation]] (KMRC) was formed to implement the project. The [[Government of India]] ([[Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs|Ministry of Urban Development]]) and [[Government of West Bengal]] each had a half-share in it. Later, the Government of West Bengal pulled out from it, and the shares were transferred to the [[Ministry of Railways (India)|Ministry of Railways]].<ref name=":10">{{cite web|title=Review of annual report and audited accounts of kolkata metro rail corporation limited (KMRCL) for the year 2016–17|url=http://www.kmrc.in/admin/uploads/AR_of_KMRCL.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209054927/http://www.kmrc.in/admin/uploads/AR_of_KMRCL.pdf|archive-date=9 December 2019|access-date=17 May 2020|website=kmrc}}</ref>

==== Route realignment ====
{{Multiple image
| align             = 
| direction         = vertical
| total_width       = 230
| image1            = Howrah metro station 2.jpg
| alt1              = 
| caption1          = Construction of [[Howrah metro station]], the deepest metro station in India.<ref>{{cite web|title=India's deepest Metro station comes up 30&nbsp;m below Howrah railway station|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/a-stn-comes-up-30m-below-howrah-stn/articleshow/70650925.cms|date=13 August 2019|first=Ajanta|last=Chakraborty|website=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=23 May 2020|archive-date=2 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902231046/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/a-stn-comes-up-30m-below-howrah-stn/articleshow/70650925.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> Currently, it is operational.
| image2            = East West metro tunnel.jpg
| caption2          = [[East West Metro Tunnel]] under the [[Hooghly River]] is the biggest underwater metro tunnel in India.<ref name="Confusion">{{Cite web |date=2017-05-05 |title=Kolkata Metro's TBM S639 Crosses Halfway Mark Under Hooghly |url=https://themetrorailguy.com/2017/05/05/kolkata-metros-tbm-s639-crosses-halfway-mark-under-hooghly/ |access-date=2023-02-14 |website=The Metro Rail Guy |language=en-US}}</ref>
}}

The realignment led to many other issues and delays. Some of the biggest issues were the H-piles under the Esplanade metro station and the Bowbazar mishap. Per the 1971 master plan, the East-West Corridor was supposed to pass under Central metro station, so the square foundational beams in Esplanade were not removed. Since the [[Tunnel boring machine|Tunnel Boring Machines]] (TBMs) cannot cut through steel, another small tunnel was dug using [[New Austrian tunneling method]] (NATM) and the H-piles were cut manually. This extended the tunneling process by one and a half months.<ref>{{cite web|last=Chakraborty|first=Ajanta|date=14 April 2018|title=Kolkata metro: Kolkata: Metro tunnel boring hits steel wall at Esplanade|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/kolkata-metro-tunnel-boring-hits-steel-wall-at-esplanade/articleshow/63755829.cms|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822120806/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/kolkata-metro-tunnel-boring-hits-steel-wall-at-esplanade/articleshow/63755829.cms|archive-date=22 August 2020|access-date=3 June 2020|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Jayanta Gupta|date=2 August 2018|title=Kolkata metro: 'Microsurgery' at Esplanade to remove E-W Metro hurdle|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/microsurgery-at-esplanade-to-remove-e-w-metro-hurdle/articleshow/65237109.cms|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200707160420/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/microsurgery-at-esplanade-to-remove-e-w-metro-hurdle/articleshow/65237109.cms|archive-date=7 July 2020|access-date=3 June 2020|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Shukla|first=Darshana|date=6 August 2018|title=Kolkata Metro {{!}} KMRCL plans microsurgery to solve E-W metro hurdle|url=https://www.metrorailnews.in/kolkata-metro-kmrcl-plans-microsurgery-solve-e-w-metro-hurdle/|access-date=3 June 2020|website=Metro Rail News|language=en-US|archive-date=3 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603185509/https://www.metrorailnews.in/kolkata-metro-kmrcl-plans-microsurgery-solve-e-w-metro-hurdle/|url-status=live}}</ref> In September 2019, during the construction of the eastbound tunnel (from Esplanade to [[Sealdah metro station|Sealdah]]), a TBM hit an [[aquifer]] under Bowbazar, causing a major collapse in the area, delaying work in that section for several months. Around 80 houses were damaged and many buildings were declared unsafe, affecting more than 600 people. Later subsidence in the area was checked using grouting.<ref>{{cite web|last=Roy|first=Subhajoy|date=6 August 2019|title=Underground wall to halt subsidence in Bowbazar|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/underground-wall-to-halt-subsidence-in-bowbazar/cid/1703121|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190909041112/https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/west-bengal/underground-wall-to-halt-subsidence-in-bowbazar/cid/1703121|archive-date=9 September 2019|access-date=16 May 2020|website=The Telegraph|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=80 houses damaged, hundreds homeless as digging for Kolkata Metro tunnel hits water body|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kolkata/2019/sep/06/80-houses-damaged-hundreds-homeless-as-digging-for-kolkata-metro-tunnel-hits-water-body-2029891.html|access-date=3 June 2020|website=The New Indian Express|date=6 September 2019 |archive-date=3 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603185503/https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kolkata/2019/sep/06/80-houses-damaged-hundreds-homeless-as-digging-for-kolkata-metro-tunnel-hits-water-body-2029891.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=8 September 2019|title=Bowbazar mishap: KMRCL gives compensation to evacuated families|url=https://www.thestatesman.com/bengal/bowbazar-mishap-kmrcl-gives-compensation-evacuated-families-1502797706.html|access-date=3 June 2020|website=The Statesman|language=en-US|archive-date=3 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603185503/https://www.thestatesman.com/bengal/bowbazar-mishap-kmrcl-gives-compensation-evacuated-families-1502797706.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Expansion planning ===
By 2011–2012, the [[Ministry of Railways (India)|Railway Ministry]] had announced plans for the construction of five new metro lines and an extension of the existing north–south corridor. These were:<ref name=":6" /><ref name="toi">{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/work-on-fast-track-as-metro-eyes-new-links-in-next-2-yrs/articleshow/69717307.cms|title=Kolkata: Work on fast track as East-West Metro eyes new links in next two years &#124; Kolkata News – Times of India|website=The Times of India|date=10 June 2019 |access-date=10 June 2019|archive-date=10 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190610191601/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/work-on-fast-track-as-metro-eyes-new-links-in-next-2-yrs/articleshow/69717307.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>

# [[Salt Lake City, Kolkata|Salt Lake]] – [[Howrah Maidan metro station|Howrah Maidan]] ([[Green Line (Kolkata Metro)|Green Line]] or East–West Metro Corridor)
# [[Joka, Kolkata|Joka]] – [[B.B.D. Bagh]] ([[Purple Line (Kolkata Metro)|Purple Line]]. Later to be extended till [[Eden Gardens]])
# [[Noapara metro station and depot|Noapara]] – [[Barasat]] ([[Yellow Line (Kolkata Metro)|Yellow Line]], via airport)
# [[Baranagar]] – [[Barrackpore]] ([[Pink Line (Kolkata Metro)|Pink Line]])
# [[Kavi Subhash metro station|New Garia]] – [[Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport|Dum Dum Airport]] ([[Orange Line (Kolkata Metro)|Orange Line]])

==== Major modifications ====
[[File:Kavi Subhash metro station during Hemanta Mukhopadhyay metro station to Netaji Bhavan metro journey 24.jpg|thumb|Kavi Subhash metro station blue-orange line interchange]]
A new four-platform [[interchange station]] was constructed at Noapara and Kavi Subhash. This acts as an interchange station for Blue Line with [[Yellow Line (Kolkata Metro)|Yellow Line]] and [[Orange Line (Kolkata Metro)|Orange Line]] respectively. For the time being, only two platforms are in use for Noapara, but once Yellow Line is running, all four platforms will be operational, whereas, from 6 March 2024, all four platforms of Kavi Subhash will be operational.<ref name=":9" /><ref name="financialexpress.com">{{Cite web |date=2024-03-07 |title=Kolkata Metro Update: Commercial services on newly-launched sections to start in 7-10 days, says official |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/business/infrastructure-kolkata-metro-update-commercial-services-on-newly-launched-sections-to-start-in-7-10-days-says-official-3417277/ |access-date=2024-03-07 |website=Financialexpress |language=en}}</ref><ref name="orissadiary.com">{{Cite web |title=Prime Minister inaugurated today Kolkata Metro's Howrah Maidan – Esplanade Metro section, Kavi Subhash – Hemanta Mukhopadhyay Metro section, Taratala – Majerhat Metro section (part of Joka- Esplanade line) |url=https://orissadiary.com/prime-minister-inaugurated-today-kolkata-metros-howrah-maidan-esplanade-metro-section-kavi-subhash-hemanta-mukhopadhyay-metro-section-taratala-majerhat-metro-section-part-of-joka-esplanade/amp/ |access-date=2024-03-07 |website=Odisha Diary |date=29 December 2020 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Kolkata Metro Commissioned 3rd Platform At Noapara on Friday|url=https://english.kolkata24x7.com/kolkata-metro-commissioned-3rd-platform-noapara.html/|date=21 January 2017|website=Kolkata24x7: Latest English and Bengali News, Bangla News, Breaking News, Business, Tollywood, Cricket|language=en-US|access-date=20 May 2020|archive-date=22 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822120823/https://english.kolkata24x7.com/kolkata-metro-commissioned-3rd-platform-noapara.html/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[File:Esplanade metro station pics 10.jpg|Esplanade metro station blue-green interchange|thumb]]
[[File:Kolkata metro system map.jpg|thumb|Kolkata metro system map published by [[Metro Railway, Kolkata]] on 4th May, 2023<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://mtp.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?id=0,1,285&lang=0 |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=mtp.indianrailways.gov.in}}</ref>]]
The existing Esplanade metro station was upgraded and a subway was constructed to the new metro station to provide an interchange among Blue Line, [[Green Line (Kolkata Metro)|Green Line]] and future [[Purple Line (Kolkata Metro)|Purple Line]].<ref name=":17">{{cite web|last=Chakraborty|first=Ajanta|date=13 August 2019|title=India's deepest Metro station comes up 30&nbsp;m below Howrah railway station|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/a-stn-comes-up-30m-below-howrah-stn/articleshow/70650925.cms|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902231046/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/a-stn-comes-up-30m-below-howrah-stn/articleshow/70650925.cms|archive-date=2 September 2019|access-date=20 May 2020|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Sanjay Mandal|date=2 January 2020|title=East West Metro design in last leg|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/east-west-metro-design-in-last-leg/cid/1732558|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822120824/https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/east-west-metro-design-in-last-leg/cid/1732558|archive-date=22 August 2020|access-date=29 July 2020|website=The Telegraph}}</ref> In 2009–2010, Blue Line underwent upgrades of services and amenities and many stations were renamed after famous personalities by then Minister of Railways Mamata Banerjee.<ref name=":1">{{cite web|title=Game of the name|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/game-of-the-name/cid/1266496|date=26 July 2009|website=The Telegraph|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190409172336/https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/west-bengal/game-of-the-name/cid/1266496|archive-date=9 April 2019|access-date=20 May 2020}}</ref>

== Network ==

=== Summary ===
The Kolkata Metro currently operates with four lines: [[Blue Line (Kolkata Metro)|Blue Line]], [[Green Line (Kolkata Metro)|Green Line]], [[Purple Line (Kolkata Metro)|Purple Line]], and [[Orange Line (Kolkata Metro)|Orange Line]]. These lines have a total of '''50''' operational stations with a further '''29''' under construction.
* {{rcb|Kolkata Metro|blue|croute}} or the north–south corridor connects [[Kavi Subhash metro station|Kavi Subhash]]  to [[Dakshineswar metro station|Dakshineswar]] and consists of 26 stations. 
* {{rcb|Kolkata Metro|green|croute}} or the East-West corridor, currently connects [[Salt Lake Sector-V metro station|Salt Lake Sector V]] to [[Sealdah metro station|Sealdah]] and [[Esplanade metro station|Esplanade]] with [[Howrah Maidan metro station|Howrah Maidan]], with a gap between Sealdah and Esplanade. This line currently consists of 12 stations and proposals have been made to extend it from [[Salt Lake Sector-V metro station|Sector-V]] to [[Teghoria]].
* {{rcb|Kolkata Metro|purple|croute}} presently connects [[Joka metro station|Joka]] to [[Majerhat metro station|Majerhat]], with 7 stations in operation and construction is ongoing up to [[Esplanade metro station|Esplanade]]. The line is also planned to extend from [[Joka metro station|Joka]] to [[Diamond Park metro station|Diamond Park]] and from [[Esplanade metro station|Esplanade]] to [[Eden Gardens metro station|Eden Gardens]].
* {{rcb|Kolkata Metro|yellow|croute}} is currently under trials from [[Noapara metro station and depot|Noapara]] to [[Jai Hind metro station|Jai Hind]] ([[Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport|Kolkata Airport]]) and under construction from [[Jai Hind metro station|Jai Hind]] to [[New Barrackpore metro station|New Barrackpore]] with a planned extension till [[Barasat metro station|Barasat]] . When completed, it will have 10 stations.
* {{rcb|Kolkata Metro|orange|croute}} currently connects [[Kavi Subhash metro station|Kavi Subhash]] to [[Hemanta Mukhopadhyay metro station|Hemanta Mukhopadhyay]] consisting of 5 stations. This line is under construction up to [[Jai Hind metro station|Jai Hind]] ([[Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport|Kolkata Airport]]) and when finished will have a total of 24 stations.

Additionally, there is one more line proposed, 
* {{rcb|Kolkata Metro|pink|croute}} which will connect [[Baranagar metro station|Baranagar]] to [[Barrackpore metro station|Barrackpore]] with a planned 11 stations.

The planned network will have a total of 21 stations, further expanding the metro's reach and capacity. The planned network consists of the entirety of [[Pink Line (Kolkata Metro)|Pink Line]]; the extension of [[Green Line (Kolkata Metro)|Green Line]] to [[Teghoria metro station|Teghoria]] and the extension of [[Yellow Line (Kolkata Metro)|Yellow Line]] to [[Barasat metro station|Barasat]].

===Operational===
{{See also|List of Kolkata Metro stations}}
[[File:Kolkata Metro Map V10 LQ.png|thumb|Metro Map of the Kolkata Metro including all operational, under construction, & planned (sanctioned) stations and lines.]]
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Line
! First run
! Last extension
! Stations
! Length (km)
! colspan="2" |Terminals
! Rolling stock
! Track gauge (mm)
! Power
! [[Headway]] (min)
|-
| style="background:#{{rail color|Kolkata Metro|Blue}}; text-align: center;" |'''[[Blue Line (Kolkata Metro)|<span style="color:white">Blue Line</span>]]'''
| style="text-align: center;" |24 Oct 1984<ref>{{cite web |last=Jayanta Gupta |date=6 July 2017 |title=Metro prepares completion calendar for city projects |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/metro-prepares-completion-calendar-for-city-projects/articleshow/59463303.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404004433/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/metro-prepares-completion-calendar-for-city-projects/articleshow/59463303.cms |archive-date=4 April 2019 |access-date=29 July 2020 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref>
| style="text-align: center;" | 22 Feb 2021
| style="text-align: center;" |26
| style="text-align: center;" |32.13
| style="text-align: center;" |[[Dakshineswar metro station|Dakshineswar]]
| style="text-align: center;" |[[Kavi Subhash metro station|Kavi Subhash]]
| [[Integral Coach Factory|ICF]], [[CRRC Dalian]]
|[[5 ft 6 in gauge railway|{{TrackGauge|1676mm}}]]
| rowspan="5" |[[List of railway electrification systems#750 V DC conductor|750 V DC]]
|6 - 15
|-
| style="background:#{{rail color|Kolkata Metro|Green}}; text-align: center;" rowspan=2 |'''[[Green Line (Kolkata Metro)|<span style="color:white">Green Line</span>]]'''
|style="text-align: center;" |13 Feb 2020<ref>{{cite web |last1=Chakraborty |first1=Ajanta |last2=Gupta |first2=Jayanta |date=5 February 2020 |title=Kolkata Metro: 8am on Valentine's Day;Your date with East-West Metro |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/8am-on-valentines-day-your-date-with-east-west-metro/articleshow/73944004.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205180500/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/8am-on-valentines-day-your-date-with-east-west-metro/articleshow/73944004.cms |archive-date=5 February 2020 |access-date=5 February 2020 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref>
| style="text-align: center;" | 14 July  2022
| style="text-align: center;" |8
| style="text-align: center;" |9.3
| style="text-align: center;" |[[Sealdah metro station|Sealdah]]
| style="text-align: center;" |[[Salt Lake Sector-V metro station|Salt Lake Sector-V]]
| rowspan="2" |[[BEML Limited|BEML]]
| rowspan="2" |{{TrackGauge|1435mm}}<ref name=":25">{{cite web |last=Ajanta Chakraborty |date=4 Feb 2020 |title=On track: First phase of East-West Metro to roll out on February 13 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/on-track-first-phase-of-e-w-metro-to-roll-out-on-feb-13/articleshow/73917288.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200207222311/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/on-track-first-phase-of-e-w-metro-to-roll-out-on-feb-13/articleshow/73917288.cms |archive-date=7 February 2020 |access-date=30 May 2020 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref>
|15 - 20
|-
| style="text-align: center;" | 6 March 2024
| style="text-align: center;" | –
| style="text-align: center;" |4
| style="text-align: center;" |4.8
| style="text-align: center;" |[[Howrah Maidan metro station|Howrah Maidan]]
| style="text-align: center;" |[[Esplanade metro station|Esplanade]]
|12 - 15
|-
| style="background:#{{rail color|Kolkata Metro|Purple}}; text-align: center;" |'''[[Purple Line (Kolkata Metro)|<span style="color:white">Purple Line</span>]]'''
| style="text-align: center;" | 30 Dec 2022<ref name="livemint.com">{{Cite web |date=2022-12-30 |title=Kolkata Metro: First glimpse of Joka-Taratala route in pics |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/kolkata-metro-first-glimpse-of-joka-taratala-route-in-pics-11672372907422.html |access-date=2022-12-30 |website=mint |language=en}}</ref>
| style="text-align: center;" | 6 March 2024
| style="text-align: center;" |7
| style="text-align: center;" |7.75
| style="text-align: center;" |[[Majerhat metro station|Majerhat]]
| style="text-align: center;" |[[Joka metro station|Joka]]
| rowspan="2" |[[Integral Coach Factory|ICF]]
| rowspan="2" |[[5 ft 6 in gauge railway|{{TrackGauge|1676mm}}]]
| 24
|-
| style="background:#{{rail color|Kolkata Metro|Orange}}; text-align: center;" |'''[[Orange Line (Kolkata Metro)|<span style="color:white">Orange Line</span>]]'''
| style="text-align: center;" | 6 March 2024
| style="text-align: center;" | –
| style="text-align: center;" |5
| style="text-align: center;" |5.4
| style="text-align: center;" |[[Kavi Subhash metro station|Kavi Subhash]]
| style="text-align: center;" |[[Hemanta Mukhopadhyay metro station|Hemanta Mukhopadhyay]]
| 20
|-
! style="text-align:center;" | '''Total'''
! style="text-align:center;" | || style="text-align:center;" | || style="text-align:center;" | '''50'''
! style="text-align:center;" |    '''59.38'''
! colspan="3" |
!
!
!
|}

=== Under construction/planned ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Line
!Expected Completion Date
!Stations
!Length<br />(km)
!colspan=2 |Terminals
!Track gauge
!Power
!Executing agency

|-
| style="background:#{{rail color|Kolkata Metro|Green}}; text-align: center;" rowspan=2 |'''[[Green Line (Kolkata Metro)|<span style="color:white">Green Line</span>]]'''
|style="text-align: center;" |2025<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-22 |title=Expect East-West full run by next puja, say Metro engineers |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/east-west-metro-to-complete-full-run-by-next-puja-hint-engineers/articleshow/114385074.cms |url-status= |access-date=2024-10-23 |website=The Times of India}}</ref>
|style="text-align: center;" |2
|style="text-align: center;" |2.6
|style="text-align: center;" |[[Esplanade metro station|Esplanade]]
|style="text-align: center;" |[[Sealdah metro station|Sealdah]]
|rowspan=2 |{{TrackGauge|1435mm}}<ref name=":25" />
|rowspan=12 |[[List of railway electrification systems#750 V DC conductor|750 V DC]]
|rowspan=2 |[[Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation|KMRC]]
|-
|style="text-align: center;" |Planned 
|style="text-align: center;" |5
|style="text-align: center;" |6.65
|style="text-align: center;" |[[Salt Lake Sector-V metro station|Salt Lake Sector-V]]
|style="text-align: center;" |[[Teghoria metro station|Teghoria]]

|-
| style="background:#{{rail color|Kolkata Metro|Purple}}; text-align: center;" rowspan=4 |'''[[Purple Line (Kolkata Metro)|<span style="color:white">Purple Line</span>]]'''
|style="text-align: center;" |2028-29<ref>{{cite news |last1= |first1= |title=Kolkata: 2028-29 deadline for Purple Line full services|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/kolkata-2028-29-deadline-for-purple-line-full-services/articleshow/115583879.cms|work=The Times of India|date=23 November 2024}}</ref>
|style="text-align: center;" |5
|style="text-align: center;" |7.33
|style="text-align: center;" |[[Majerhat metro station|Majerhat]]
|style="text-align: center;" |[[Esplanade metro station|Esplanade]]
|rowspan=10 |{{TrackGauge|1676mm}}
|rowspan=4 |[[Rail Vikas Nigam|Rail Vikas Nigam Limited]]
|-
|style="text-align: center;" |Construction to start soon<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-03-12 |title=Purple Line gets green signal for IIM-Joka stn |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/purple-line-gets-green-signal-for-iim-joka-stn/articleshow/118946404.cms |access-date=2025-03-13 |work=The Times of India}}</ref>
|style="text-align: center;" |1
|style="text-align: center;" |1.7
|style="text-align: center;" |[[IIM Calcutta metro station|IIM-Joka]]
|style="text-align: center;" |[[Joka metro station|Joka]]
|-
|style="text-align: center;" |Planned<ref>{{Cite news |last=Chakraborty |first=Ajanta |date=2025-03-11 |title=Rlys sanctions 1k cr for Eden Gardens metro stn |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/rlys-sanctions-1k-cr-for-eden-gardens-metro-stn/articleshow/118901481.cms |access-date=2025-03-11}}</ref>
|style="text-align: center;" |1
|style="text-align: center;" |1.6
|style="text-align: center;" |[[Esplanade metro station|Esplanade]]
|style="text-align: center;" |[[Eden Gardens metro station|Eden Gardens]]
|-
|style="text-align: center;" |Planned 
|style="text-align: center;" |1
|style="text-align: center;" |1.69
|style="text-align: center;" |[[Diamond Park metro station|Diamond Park]]
|style="text-align: center;" |[[IIM Calcutta metro station|IIM-Joka]]
|-
| style="background:#{{rail color|Kolkata Metro|Yellow}}; text-align: center;" rowspan=3|'''[[Yellow Line (Kolkata Metro)|<span style="color:black">Yellow Line</span>]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" | 2025<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-22 |title=Airport metro dream may come true in March |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/kolkatas-airport-metro-set-to-launch-in-march-2025-key-developments-and-benefits/articleshow/114480956.cms |url-status= |access-date=2024-10-23 |website=The Times of India}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;" |3
| style="text-align:center;" |7.04<ref>{{Cite web |title=Noapara-Airport Metro in Kolkata Completes First Trial Run Successfully |url=https://www.constructionworld.in/transport-infrastructure/metro-rail-and-railways-infrastructure/noapara-airport-metro-in-kolkata-completes-first-trial-run-successfully/68219 |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=www.constructionworld.in |language=en}}</ref>
|style="text-align: center;" |[[Noapara metro station|Noapara]]
|style="text-align: center;" |[[Jai Hind metro station|Jai Hind]]
| rowspan="3" style="text-align: left;" |[[Metro Railway, Kolkata]]

|-
| style="text-align:center;" |2027<ref name=":20">{{Cite news |date=2024-08-06 |title=After airport clearance, metro goes ahead with Birati extension |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/metro-railway-extends-yellow-line-to-birati-after-airport-clearance/articleshow/112300867.cms |access-date=2025-02-05 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;" |3
| style="text-align:center;" |3.5<ref name=":20" />
|style="text-align: center;" |[[Jai Hind metro station|Jai Hind]]
|style="text-align: center;" |[[New Barrackpore metro station|New Barrackpore]]

|-
| style="text-align:center;" |Planned
| style="text-align:center;" |3
| style="text-align:center;" |6.34
|style="text-align: center;" |[[New Barrackpore metro station|New Barrackpore]]
|style="text-align: center;" |[[Barasat metro station|Barasat]]

|-
| style="background:#{{rail color|Kolkata Metro|Pink}}; text-align: center;" |'''[[Pink Line (Kolkata Metro)|<span style="color:white">Pink Line</span>]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" | Planned
| style="text-align:center;" |10
| style="text-align:center;" |12.40<ref name="mtp">{{cite web |date=5 December 2019 |title=New System Map of Kolkata Metro |url=https://mtp.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0,1,285 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190905031726/https://mtp.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?id=0,1,285&lang=0 |archive-date=5 September 2019 |access-date=17 May 2020 |website=mtp.indianrailways.gov.in}}</ref>
|style="text-align: center;" |[[Baranagar metro station|Baranagar]]
|style="text-align: center;" |[[Barrackpore metro station|Barrackpore]]
| rowspan="3" |[[Rail Vikas Nigam Limited]]

|-
| style="background:#{{rail color|Kolkata Metro|Orange}}; text-align: center;" rowspan = 2|'''[[Orange Line (Kolkata Metro)|<span style="color:white">Orange Line</span>]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" | 2025<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-07-26 |title=Budget boost: Metro eyes full Orange Line ops by March '25 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/metro-eyes-full-orange-line-operations-by-march-2025/articleshow/112027166.cms |url-status= |access-date=2024-10-23 |website=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-19 |title=Metro network in Kolkata to span 90 km by next yr, 130 km in 3 yrs |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/kolkata-metro-network-to-expand-to-90-km-by-2025-130-km-by-2027/articleshow/114361944.cms/114480956.cms |url-status= |access-date=2024-10-23 |website=The Times of India}}</ref>|| style="text-align:center;" |7
| style="text-align:center;" |8.5
|style="text-align: center;" |[[Hemanta Mukhopadhyay metro station|Hemanta Mukhopadhyay]]
|style="text-align: center;" |[[IT Centre metro station|IT Centre]]
|-

| style="text-align:center;" | 2026<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pall |first1=Samreen |title=Kolkata Metro: Orange & Purple Line Work Reviewed, To Be Fully Operational By 2026 |url=https://www.news18.com/auto/kolkata-metro-orange-purple-line-work-reviewed-to-be-fully-operational-by-2026-8961968.html |access-date=19 August 2024 |work=News18 |date=12 July 2024}}</ref>|| style="text-align:center;" |11
| style="text-align:center;" |15.85
|style="text-align: center;" |[[IT Centre metro station|IT Centre]]
|style="text-align: center;" |[[Jai Hind metro station|Jai Hind]]
|-
!Total
! style="text-align:center;" |  || style="text-align:center;" |49|| style="text-align:center;" |73.5|| colspan="4" |
! 
|}

== Lines ==
===Summary===
{| class="wikitable sortable collapsible" text-align: center;"
|-
!Line
!Status
!Length (km)
!Stations
!Opening Year
|-
|style="background:#{{rail color|Kolkata Metro|Blue}}; text-align: center;" |'''[[Blue Line (Kolkata Metro)|<span style="color:white">Blue Line</span>]]'''
|Fully operational
|32.13
|26
|1984
|-
|style="background:#{{rail color|Kolkata Metro|Green}}; text-align: center;" |'''[[Green Line (Kolkata Metro)|<span style="color:white">Green Line</span>]]'''
|Mostly Operational 
(except between [[Esplanade metro station|Esplanade]] - [[Sealdah metro station|Sealdah]])
|14.1
|12
|2020
|-
|style="background:#{{rail color|Kolkata Metro|Purple}}; text-align: center;" |'''[[Purple Line (Kolkata Metro)|<span style="color:white">Purple Line</span>]]'''
|Partially operational
|7.75
|7
|2022
|-
|style="background:#{{rail color|Kolkata Metro|Orange}}; text-align: center;" |'''[[Orange Line (Kolkata Metro)|<span style="color:white">Orange Line</span>]]'''
|Partially operational
|5.4
|5
|2024
|}

=== {{ font color|blue| Blue line }} [[File:Kolkata Metro Logo Blue Line.svg|35x35px]] ===
[[File:Kolkata Metro Blue Line trace map.png|thumb|Blue Line route of Kolkata Metro. Major Interchanges are available at Esplanade, Park Street, Noapara and Kabi Subhash.]]
{{Main|Blue Line (Kolkata Metro)}}
Blue Line has a total length of {{convert|32.13|km|mi}} serving 26 [[List of Kolkata Metro stations|Kolkata Metro stations]], of which 15 are underground, 9 are elevated and 2 at-grade. It uses the {{Track gauge|5ft6in|lk=on}} [[broad gauge]] tracks. It was the first underground railway to be built in India, with the first trains running in October 1984 and the full stretch that had been initially planned completed and operational by February 1995. The southward extension of the Blue Line to an elevated corridor from [[Mahanayak Uttam Kumar metro station|Tollygunge]] to [[Kavi Subhash Metro Station|New Garia]] was constructed and opened in two phases, [[Mahanayak Uttam Kumar metro station|Mahanayak Uttam Kumar]] to [[Kavi Nazrul Metro Station|Kavi Nazrul]] in 2009 and Kavi Nazrul to [[Kavi Subhash Metro Station|Kavi Subhash]] in 2010. Another extension constructed was the {{convert|2.59|km|mi|abbr=on}} elevated corridor from Dum Dum to [[Noapara Metro Station|Noapara]] in 2013.<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":14">{{cite web|title=Milestone|url=https://mtp.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?fontColor=black&backgroundColor=LIGHTSTEELBLUE&lang=0&id=0,1,334|date=4 December 2019|website=mtp.indianrailways.gov.in|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190705165731/https://mtp.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?fontColor=black&backgroundColor=LIGHTSTEELBLUE&lang=0&id=0,1,334|archive-date=5 July 2019|access-date=20 May 2020}}</ref><ref name=":16">{{cite news|date=29 June 2019|title=Kolkata Metro services to start earlier on weekends from July 1|language=en-IN|work=The Indian Express|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/kolkata-metro-services-to-start-earlier-on-weekends-from-july-1-5805923/|access-date=27 September 2019|archive-date=27 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927134950/https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/kolkata-metro-services-to-start-earlier-on-weekends-from-july-1-5805923/|url-status=live}}</ref> The last {{convert|4.13|km|mi|abbr=on}} extension from Noapara to Dakshineswar opened in 2021, thus completing the Blue line.<ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|date=22 Feb 2021|title=Bengal has made up its mind for 'poriborton', says PM Modi in Hooghly|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/latest-news-today-live-updates-puducherry-floor-test-bengal-kerala-election-22-february-2021-121022200131_1.html|access-date=22 Feb 2021|website=business-standard.com|language=en|archive-date=22 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210222051818/https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/latest-news-today-live-updates-puducherry-floor-test-bengal-kerala-election-22-february-2021-121022200131_1.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

A northward extension from Dum Dum to [[Dakshineswar metro station|Dakshineswar]] ({{convert|6.20|km|mi|disp=sqbr|abbr=on}}) was sanctioned and included in the 2010–2011 budget at a cost of {{INRConvert|227.53|c|lk=on|year=2010}}. The commercial operations for Dum Dum to Noapara ({{convert|2.09|km|mi|disp=sqbr|abbr=on}}) were commissioned in March 2013, and construction from Noapara to Dakshineswar with an interchange with Pink Line at Baranagar ({{convert|2.38|km|mi|disp=sqbr|abbr=on}}) is being executed by RVNL. This section is opened on 23 February 2021 for general public<ref>{{cite web|title=Kolkata Metro's extended route to Dakshineswar to start in January|url=https://newsable.asianetnews.com/gallery/india/kolkata-metro-s-extended-route-to-dakshineswar-to-start-in-january-dbr-qiyfxg|access-date=2020-11-18|website=Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd|language=en|archive-date=24 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124154526/https://newsable.asianetnews.com/gallery/india/kolkata-metro-s-extended-route-to-dakshineswar-to-start-in-january-dbr-qiyfxg|url-status=live}}</ref> with a projected ridership of 55,000 by 2030.<ref>{{cite web|last1=B|first1=Krishnendu|last2=Ajanta Chakraborty|date=10 June 2019|title=Kolkata: Work on fast track as East-West Metro eyes new links in next two years|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/work-on-fast-track-as-metro-eyes-new-links-in-next-2-yrs/articleshow/69717307.cms|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190610191601/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/work-on-fast-track-as-metro-eyes-new-links-in-next-2-yrs/articleshow/69717307.cms|archive-date=10 June 2019|access-date=19 June 2019|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref>

An upgrade of the existing signaling system from Indian Railways Signalling to [[Communications-based train control|Communication Based Train Control]] was proposed by Metro Railway, Kolkata, at a cost of {{INRConvert|467|c|lk=on|year=2020}}, and was sent to Indian Railways. Work is also ongoing to upgrade its old stainless steel third rail to more modern and sustainable aluminium third rail. This could help reduce energy loss by about 84% and solve the problem of voltage drops. This also decrease the time interval between trains to just 90 seconds from 5 minutes. Indian Railways approved the proposal, installation work of [[Communications-based train control|Communication Based Train Control]] signal is expected to be started after conversation of third rail (which is expected to be completed within 2 years) and will be completed within 2–3 years.<ref name=":5">{{cite web|last=Mitra|first=Debraj|date=29 July 2020|title=Quicker train hope in nod for Calcutta Metro signal upgrade|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/quicker-train-hope-in-nod-for-calcutta-metro-signal-upgrade/cid/1695846|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191103191351/https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/west-bengal/quicker-train-hope-in-nod-for-calcutta-metro-signal-upgrade/cid/1695846|archive-date=3 November 2019|access-date=9 May 2020|website=The Telegraph|language=en}}</ref>

=== {{ font color | green | Green line }} [[File:Kolkata Metro Green Line.svg|35x35px]][[File:Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation Logo.svg|24x24px]] ===
[[File:East West Metro Kolkata.png|thumb|(Esplanade to Sealdah - currently under CBTC Testing).]]
{{Main|Green Line (Kolkata Metro)}}
{{See also|East West Metro Tunnel}}
'''Green Line''', is the metro corridor to connect [[Kolkata]] with [[Howrah]] by an underwater tunnel below the [[Hooghly River]]. The length was supposed to be {{convert|14.67|km|mi|abbr=on}}, {{cvt|8.9|km|mi}} underground and {{cvt|5.77|km}} elevated. However, the project was stalled several times due to land acquisition and slum relocation issues. A major route realignment in 2013 increased the length to {{cvt|16.55|km}}. The elevated stretch is {{convert|5.77|km|mi|abbr=on}} long while the underground stretch is {{convert|10.81|km|mi|abbr=on}}. The planned intersection with the [[Blue Line (Kolkata Metro)|Blue Line]] at [[Central metro station (Kolkata)|Central]] was re-aligned to [[Esplanade metro station|Esplanade]] (interchanges with [[Blue Line (Kolkata Metro)|Blue Line]] and [[Purple Line (Kolkata Metro)|Purple Line]]). In September 2019, during the construction of the eastbound tunnel between [[Sealdah metro station]] and [[Esplanade metro station]], a [[Tunnel boring machine]] hit an [[Aquifer]] at [[Bowbazar]], causing a major collapse in the area, delaying work on that section for several months.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/18-buildings-damaged-as-kolkata-metro-tunnel-borer-hits-aquifer/articleshow/70940550.cms|title=18 buildings damaged as Kolkata Metro tunnel-borer 'hits aquifer' – Times of India|website=[[The Times of India]] |date=2 September 2019|access-date=2 March 2020|archive-date=5 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190905221720/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/18-buildings-damaged-as-kolkata-metro-tunnel-borer-hits-aquifer/articleshow/70940550.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> These issues have caused massive delays to the project, and foreign currency losses had led to an 80&nbsp;percent cost escalation of the project to nearly {{INRConvert|8996.96|c|lk=on|year=2017}}.<ref>{{Cite news|last=IANS|date=4 June 2016|title=East West Metro project cost to shoot up to nearly Rs 9,000 cr|work=Business Standard India|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/east-west-metro-project-cost-to-shoot-up-to-nearly-rs-9-000-cr-116060400697_1.html|access-date=17 May 2020|archive-date=19 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819234814/http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/east-west-metro-project-cost-to-shoot-up-to-nearly-rs-9-000-cr-116060400697_1.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=East West Metro project cost to shoot up to nearly Rs 9,000 cr – Times of India|website=[[The Times of India]] |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/East-West-Metro-project-cost-to-shoot-up-to-nearly-Rs-9000-cr/articleshow/52590594.cms|date=5 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170105093135/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/East-West-Metro-project-cost-to-shoot-up-to-nearly-Rs-9000-cr/articleshow/52590594.cms|access-date=17 May 2020|archive-date=5 January 2017}}</ref>

Between [[Mahakaran metro station|Mahakaran]] and [[Howrah metro station|Howrah]], the metro runs under the [[Hooghly River]]– the biggest and the only [[East West Metro Tunnel|underwater metro tunnel]] in India.<ref name="Confusion" /> Transfer stations with railways are located at Two major railway stations, [[Sealdah railway station|Sealdah]] and [[Howrah railway station|Howrah]]. A new elevated extension from [[Salt Lake Sector-V Metro Station|Sector-V]] to [[Teghoria]] was sanctioned a distance of {{cvt|5.5|km}} at a budget of {{INRConvert|674|c|lk=on|year=2016}} in 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsmen.in/news-item/mixed-bag-for-bengal-in-railway-budget-2016-kolkata-gets-new-metro-route/|title=Mixed bag for Bengal in Railway Budget 2016; Kolkata gets new Metro route|date=25 February 2016|language=en-GB|access-date=25 September 2016|archive-date=27 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160927141954/http://www.newsmen.in/news-item/mixed-bag-for-bengal-in-railway-budget-2016-kolkata-gets-new-metro-route/|url-status=dead}}</ref> From [[Teghoria]], passengers can take the [[Orange Line (Kolkata Metro)|Orange Line]] metro.<ref name="mtp" />

The line from [[Salt Lake Sector-V metro station|Sector-V]] to [[IFA Salt Lake Stadium metro station|Salt Lake Stadium]] was inaugurated on 13 February 2020 by the then [[Minister of Railways (India)|Minister of Railways]] [[Piyush Goyal]] after 11 years of construction.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sangbadpratidin.in/kolkata/east-west-metro-will-be-started-to-run-from-13-th-february/|title=East west metro will be started to run from 13 th february|date=3 February 2020|website=Sangbad Pratidin|language=bn|access-date=3 February 2020|archive-date=3 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200203110127/https://www.sangbadpratidin.in/kolkata/east-west-metro-will-be-started-to-run-from-13-th-february/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=4 February 2020|title=First underwater metro to begin services in Kolkata from February 13|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/first-underwater-metro-to-begin-services-in-kolkata-from-feb-13/article30736185.ece|access-date=29 July 2020|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=26 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226113552/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/first-underwater-metro-to-begin-services-in-kolkata-from-feb-13/article30736185.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> Services to [[Phoolbagan metro station]], the first underground station of the line, were extended on 4 October 2020.<ref>{{cite web|date=4 Oct 2020|title=Kolkata to get first underground metro station in 25 years|url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/kolkata-to-get-first-underground-metro-station-in-25-years-11601770189708.html|access-date=4 Oct 2020|website=livemint|language=en|archive-date=4 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004015825/https://www.livemint.com/news/india/kolkata-to-get-first-underground-metro-station-in-25-years-11601770189708.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|agency=PTI|date=2020-10-04|title=Piyush Goyal inaugurates Phoolbagan Station of Kolkata's East West Metro corridor|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kolkata/piyush-goyal-inaugurates-phoolbagan-station-of-kolkatas-east-west-metro-corridor/article32765483.ece|access-date=2020-10-04|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=7 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007060956/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kolkata/piyush-goyal-inaugurates-phoolbagan-station-of-kolkatas-east-west-metro-corridor/article32765483.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> The extension added {{convert|1.66|km|mi|abbr=on}} to the existing line.<ref name="a">{{cite news |date=4 October 2020 |title=ইস্ট-ওয়েস্ট মেট্রো: বিধাননগরের সঙ্গে জুড়ে গেল ফুলবাগান |url=https://www.anandabazar.com/calcutta/east-west-metro-phoolbagan-metro-station-service-started-dgtl-1.1210983?ref=related-stry-4 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210529191442/https://www.anandabazar.com/west-bengal/kolkata/east-west-metro-phoolbagan-metro-station-service-started-dgtl-1.1210983?ref=related-stry-4 |archive-date=29 May 2021 |access-date=8 October 2020 |website=www.anandabazar.com |publisher=[[Anandabazar Patrika]] |language=bn}}</ref> On July 11, 2022, this line was extended till [[Sealdah]]. On 6 March 2024, the Esplanade - Howrah Maidan section was inaugurated by [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]] [[Narendra Modi]], leaving only 2.9&nbsp;km between the two functional stations to be joined.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Metro Railway Kolkata / Indian Railways Portal |url=https://mtp.indianrailways.gov.in/view_detail.jsp?lang=0&id=0,4,268&dcd=3924&did=1709732766752EFE40D35130703F5AE83D8DB4F9F2BA7 |access-date=2024-03-08 |website=mtp.indianrailways.gov.in}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-03-01 |title=India's deepest Metro station at Howrah also to be the largest |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/indias-deepest-metro-station-at-howrah-to-be-the-largest/articleshow/108121908.cms |access-date=2024-03-08 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Metro Railway Kolkata / Indian Railways Portal |url=https://mtp.indianrailways.gov.in/view_detail.jsp?lang=0&id=0,4,268&dcd=3926&did=1709813590202A5B847FBF4024927F49938AE354845FA |access-date=2024-03-08 |website=mtp.indianrailways.gov.in}}</ref>

As for a major latest update on 13 January 2025, the remaining 2.9&nbsp;km between the two functional stations, [[Esplanade metro station|Esplanade]] and [[Sealdah metro station|Sealdah]] has been successfully connected. As per the details, this initiative will bring down the travel time between the two railway stations to just 11 minutes.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-13 |title=Kolkata Metro to suspend trains on THESE 2 important routes for 45 days? |url=https://www.etnownews.com/infrastructure/kolkata-metro-to-suspend-trains-on-howrah-maidan-to-esplanade-sealdah-to-salt-lake-sector-v-routes-for-45-days-article-117185520 |access-date=2025-01-13 |website=ET Now |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-12 |title=Kolkata Metro links Howrah, Sealdah stations; travel time to reduce to 11 minutes |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/cities/kolkata/story/kolkata-metro-links-horwah-sealdah-stations-travel-time-11-minutes-west-bengal-2663691-2025-01-12 |access-date=2025-01-13 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref>

=== {{ font color | purple | Purple line }} [[File:Kolkata Metro Purple Line.svg|35x35px]] ===
{{Main|Purple Line (Kolkata Metro)}}
[[File:Kolkata Metro Purple Line overlay map.png|thumb|Joka to Mominpur (Elevated) Corridor, Mominpur to Esplanade (Underground) Corridor]]
Previously, the stretch from [[Thakurpukur]] to [[Majerhat railway station|Majerhat]] was surveyed as a branch line of the [[Kolkata Circular Railway|circular railway]], and a metro line from [[Majerhat metro station|Majerhat]] to [[Dakshineswar metro station|Dakshineswar]] via [[Sealdah metro station|Sealdah]] (interchange with [[Green Line (Kolkata Metro)|Green Line]]) was planned.<ref name=":0" /> This plan was scrapped and a new metro line from further south in Joka to BBD Bagh was sanctioned in 2010–2011 with a total length of {{convert|17.22|km|mi|abbr=on}} at an anticipated cost of {{INRConvert|2619.02|c|lk=on|year=2010}}. Later the route was truncated to Esplanade. The corridor runs along Diamond Harbour Road, Khidirpur Road, and Jawaharlal Nehru Road, major arterial roads of Kolkata, and has passenger interchange facilities with the Blue Line and Green line at Esplanade and Blue line at Park street. The proposed Esplanade station will not be the same as that of the Blue Line and Green Line but a different station that will be built at B.C. Roy market ground. The line now has a new depot in [[Joka depot|Joka]]. Due to land acquisition problems<ref>{{cite web|title=Inability to procure land for depot leaves RVNL unsure of Joka-BBD Bag Metro's 1st phase commencement|url=http://www.millenniumpost.in/kolkata/inability-to-procure-land-for-depot-leaves-rvnl-unsure-of-joka-bbd-bag-metros-1st-phase-commencement-398145|last=NANDI|first=SOUMITRA|date=30 January 2020|website=www.millenniumpost.in|language=en|access-date=17 May 2020|archive-date=31 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200131034620/http://www.millenniumpost.in/kolkata/inability-to-procure-land-for-depot-leaves-rvnl-unsure-of-joka-bbd-bag-metros-1st-phase-commencement-398145|url-status=live}}</ref> and objections from the [[Ministry of Defence (India)|Ministry of Defence]], construction has been delayed several times since the beginning.<ref>{{cite web|title=580 crore sanctions to build Joka-BBD Bagh Metro depot – Rail Analysis India|url=http://railanalysis.in/rail-news/580-crore-sanctions-build-joka-bbd-bagh-metro-depot/|date=18 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190618033514/http://railanalysis.in/rail-news/580-crore-sanctions-build-joka-bbd-bagh-metro-depot/|access-date=17 May 2020|archive-date=18 June 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Defence Ministry objected that the elevated corridor would overlook the [[Eastern Command (India)|Eastern Command headquarters]] at [[Fort William, India|Fort William]], Ordinance Depot at Mominpore. The change in alignment from elevated to underground increased the construction cost of the stretch from {{INRConvert|139|c|lk=|year=2020}} to {{INRConvert|3000|c|lk=on|year=2020}}.<ref name=":22">{{cite web|last=Bandyopadhyay|first=Krishnendu|date=30 Jul 2020|title=Kolkata: Defence nod makes journey of Joka Metro project easier|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/defence-nod-makes-journey-of-joka-metro-project-easier/articleshow/77249361.cms|access-date=2021-04-13|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=13 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413194158/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/defence-nod-makes-journey-of-joka-metro-project-easier/articleshow/77249361.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> The work resumed in several phases and new bids were invited by [[Rail Vikas Nigam Limited]] (RVNL) in April 2020.<ref>{{cite web|last=B|first=Krishnendu|date=1 March 2019|title=Work begins at Joka Metro depot, wall built|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/work-begins-at-joka-metro-depot-wall-built/articleshow/68208956.cms|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822120856/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/work-begins-at-joka-metro-depot-wall-built/articleshow/68208956.cms|archive-date=22 August 2020|access-date=17 May 2020|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Bids invited for construction of Joka depot for Kolkata Metro Purple Line|url=https://www.urbantransportnews.com/bids-invited-for-construction-of-joka-depot-for-kolkata-metro-line-3/|last=Khare|first=Anushka|date=1 May 2020|website=Urban Transport News|language=en-US|access-date=17 May 2020|archive-date=16 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200516100346/https://www.urbantransportnews.com/bids-invited-for-construction-of-joka-depot-for-kolkata-metro-line-3/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=RVNL Invites Bids for Kolkata Metro Line-3's Joka Depot|url=https://themetrorailguy.com/2020/04/28/rvnl-invites-bids-for-kolkata-metro-line-3s-joka-depot/|date=28 April 2020|website=The Metro Rail Guy|language=en-US|access-date=17 May 2020|archive-date=22 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822120858/https://themetrorailguy.com/2020/04/28/rvnl-invites-bids-for-kolkata-metro-line-3s-joka-depot/|url-status=live}}</ref> It is India's first metro line to run on indigenous head hardened rails, manufactured by [[Jindal Steel and Power|Jindal Steel & Power]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Bandyopadhyay|first=Krishnendu|date=12 August 2020|title=Kolkata: Joka-Esplanade to be India's first Metro to run on indigenous rails|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/joka-esplanade-to-be-indias-first-metro-to-run-on-indigenous-rails/articleshow/77493124.cms|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812230910/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/joka-esplanade-to-be-indias-first-metro-to-run-on-indigenous-rails/articleshow/77493124.cms|archive-date=12 August 2020|access-date=12 August 2020|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> The extension of this line to IIM and Diamond Park for {{convert|2|km|mi|abbr=on}} was sanctioned in the 2012–2013 Budget at a cost of {{INRConvert|294.49|c|lk=on|year=2012}}. The work is being executed by RVNL.<ref name="Joka-Esplanade Metro on the anvil">{{cite news|last=Chakraborty|first=Monotosh|date=10 July 2010|title=Joka-Eplanade Metro on the anvil|work=The Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Joka-BBD-Bag-Metro-on-the-anvil/articleshow/6149695.cms|url-status=live|archive-date=2 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002181411/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Joka-BBD-Bag-Metro-on-the-anvil/articleshow/6149695.cms}}</ref><ref name=":6" /><ref name="mtp" />

The line has 3 phases:

#[[Joka metro station|Joka]] to [[Majerhat metro station|Majerhat]] (Phase 1)
# Majerhat to [[Eden Gardens metro station|Eden Gardens]] (Phase 2)
# Joka to [[Diamond Park metro station|Diamond Park]] (Phase 3)

The [[Mominpur metro station]] was planned to be built across a 2500 sq. m area. However, the Ministry of Defence objected to the elevated structure, saying that it would overlook the Ordnance depot. This forced RVNL to stall the entire project, and RVNL almost dropped the station from the plan even though it alone would have a projected 20,000 passengers during peak hours. Underground Mominpur station was also not possible due to the sharp gradient from [[Taratala metro station]].<ref name=":23" /> After a series of discussions and consultations with the Ministry of Defence and Government of West Bengal in 2016, it was decided to shift the station around {{convert|1|km|mi|abbr=on}} northward, near the Alipore Bodyguard Lines.<ref name=":24">{{cite web|last=Byandhopadhyay|first=Krishnendu|date=17 April 2016|title=Kolkata's Mominpore station jinx broken, Joka-BBD Bag Metro rises again|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Kolkatas-Mominpore-station-jinx-broken-Joka-BBD-Bag-Metro-rises-again/articleshow/51861284.cms|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131020447/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Kolkatas-Mominpore-station-jinx-broken-Joka-BBD-Bag-Metro-rises-again/articleshow/51861284.cms|archive-date=31 January 2017|access-date=18 May 2020|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> But, after a year Defence Ministry approved the Mominpur metro station in its original location as the change in alignment would have delayed the project and budget overrun. It will be the last elevated station of the corridor.<ref name=":23">{{cite web|last=Jayanta Gupta|date=18 February 2017|title=Defence ministry clears decks for Mominpore metro station|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/defence-ministry-clears-decks-for-mominpore-metro-station/articleshow/57212658.cms|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170220190231/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/defence-ministry-clears-decks-for-mominpore-metro-station/articleshow/57212658.cms|archive-date=20 February 2017|access-date=17 May 2020|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=19 July 2019|title=RVNL invites bids for consultancy services for Kolkata Metro extension|url=https://www.urbantransportnews.com/rvnl-invites-bids-for-consultancy-services-for-kolkata-metro-extension-project/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722134745/https://urbantransportnews.com/rvnl-invites-bids-for-consultancy-services-for-kolkata-metro-extension-project/|archive-date=22 July 2019|access-date=18 May 2020|website=Urban Transport News|language=en-US|url-status=dead}}</ref> Now, the proposed underground Khidirpur metro station is planned at the Alipore Bodyguard Lines.<ref>{{cite web|last=Chakraborty|first=Ajanta|date=14 Dec 2020|title=Kolkata: Joka Metro skirts school bottleneck with route tweak|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/joka-metro-skirts-school-bottleneck-with-route-tweak/articleshow/79710735.cms|access-date=2021-04-13|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=13 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413194157/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/joka-metro-skirts-school-bottleneck-with-route-tweak/articleshow/79710735.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> There were also hurdles regarding clearance for tunneling under defence lands.<ref name=":24" /> In 2020, the Defence Ministry eased out the process as lease rent wasn't required anymore for tunneling as long the overground ownership of the land did not change.<ref name=":22" /> On 30 December 2022 the Joka - Taratala section and on 6 March 2024, the Taratala - Majerhat section was inaugurated remotely by Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi, completing the 7.75&nbsp;km Phase 1 stretch. On 12 January 2025, it was reported that Metro authorities decided to extend the line to [[Eden Gardens]] instead of Esplanade to facilitate commuters and connect Strand Road, BBD Bag and Calcutta High Court.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Chakraborty |first=Ajanta |date=12 January 2025 |title=Kolkata metro plans to extend Joka-Esplanade Purple Line to Eden Gardens |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/kolkata-metro-plans-to-extend-joka-esplanade-purple-line-to-eden-gardens/articleshow/117163620.cms |access-date=15 January 2025 |work=[[Times of India]]}}</ref> Subsequently, in March 2025 railways sanctioned {{INRConvert|1000|c|lk=on|year=2012}} for the extension.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-03-11 |title=Rlys sanctions 1k cr for Eden Gardens metro stn |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/rlys-sanctions-1k-cr-for-eden-gardens-metro-stn/articleshow/118901481.cms |access-date=2025-03-11 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

=== {{ font color | #FDDA0D | Yellow line }}[[File:Kolkata Metro Yellow Line.svg|35x35px]][[File:Airplane-logo.png|24x24px]]===
{{Main|Yellow Line (Kolkata Metro)}}
The work of integrating the [[Kolkata Circular Railway|Circular Railway]] from [[Dum Dum Cantonment railway station|Dum Dum Cantonment]] to [[Biman Bandar railway station|Biman Bandar]] into a {{convert|6.249|km|mi|abbr=on}} new metro line from [[Noapara, Baranagar|Noapara]] to [[Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport|Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport]] was sanctioned in the 2010–2011 budget.<ref name="mtp" /> The cost of the project is {{INRConvert|184.83|c|lk=on|year=2010}}. An eastward extension from Biman Bandar to Barasat over {{convert|10.627|km|mi|abbr=on}}<ref name="mtp" /> was also sanctioned and included in the 2010–2011 budget. The cost of the project is {{INRConvert|2397.72|c|lk=on|year=2011}}. The work on this project from Noapara to [[Barasat metro station|Barasat]] is being executed by Metro Railway, Kolkata.<ref name="Dum Dum-Barrackpore Metro project awaits state nod">{{cite web|title=Dum Dum-Barrackpore Metro project awaits state nod|url=http://www.thestatesman.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=355377&catid=72|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120609190311/http://www.thestatesman.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=355377&catid=72|archive-date=9 June 2012|access-date=7 July 2012|publisher=The Statesman}}</ref> Due to multiple delays and hurdles, the total cost of the project had grown to {{INRConvert|4829.57|c|lk=on|year=2018}}.<ref name="telegraphindia.com">{{cite web|last=Mandal|first=Sanjay|date=7 December 2018|title=Airport-Barasat metro line back to life|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/calcutta-airport-barasat-metro-line-back-to-life-after-change-in-plan/cid/1677937|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191102165801/https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/west-bengal/calcutta-airport-barasat-metro-line-back-to-life-after-change-in-plan/cid/1677937|archive-date=2 November 2019|access-date=19 May 2020|website=The Telegraph|language=en}}</ref>

Following an objection from the [[Airports Authority of India]] (AAI), the route was further reworked. Instead of using the [[Kolkata Circular Railway|Circular Line]]'s [[Jessore Road railway station|Jessore Road]] and [[Biman Bandar railway station]], [[Jessore Road metro station|Jessore Road]] and [[Jai Hind metro station]] were planned at-grade and underground, respectively. This stretch will continue underground till [[Barasat metro station|Barasat]] after Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]]'s approval<ref>{{cite web|last=Sarkar|first=Pranesh|date=5 Feb 2021|title=PM nod for underground Metro averts eviction|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/prime-minister-nod-for-underground-metro-averts-eviction/cid/1805748|access-date=2021-04-13|website=The Telegraph|archive-date=13 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413181546/https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/prime-minister-nod-for-underground-metro-averts-eviction/cid/1805748|url-status=live}}</ref> which was till [[New Barrackpore metro station|New Barrackpore]] earlier. As of 2024, the construction work has started from the airport to New Barrackpore underground link, and the bidding for the New Barrackpore to Barasat line extension is expected to start.

=== {{ font color | #FF69B4| Pink line }} [[File:Kolkata Metro Pink Line.svg|35x35px]] ===
{{Main|Pink Line (Kolkata Metro)}}
The Pink Line is the northward extension from Baranagar to Barrackpore [{{convert|12.45|km|mi|abbr=on}}]. It was sanctioned at a cost of {{INRConvert|2069.6|c|lk=on|year=2010}} in the 2010–2011 budget. This line was meant to enable a quick commute from the northernmost suburbs to [[South Kolkata]]. The work corridor is being executed by RVNL. As of May 2021, no physical construction has commenced, and the project has been stalled as metro construction would affect the water pipelines along [[Barrackpore Trunk Road]].<ref name="Going going... RIP Barrackpore Metro">{{cite news|last=Mandal|first=Sanjay|date=26 February 2015|title=Going going... RIP Barrackpore Metro|work=www.telegraphindia.com|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1150226/jsp/calcutta/story_5564.jsp#.VTDELPmUeYw|url-status=dead|access-date=29 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170709142357/https://www.telegraphindia.com/1150226/jsp/calcutta/story_5564.jsp|archive-date=9 July 2017}}</ref> To avoid this, another proposal was made to continue this line through the [[Kalyani Expressway]]. Eleven metro stations were planned on this route.<ref name=":6">{{cite web|title=Road Ahead….. Projects sanctioned|url=https://mtp.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0,1,304,375,379|date=8 May 2014|website=mtp.indianrailways.gov.in|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190217143720/https://mtp.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0,1,304,375,379|archive-date=17 February 2019|access-date=19 May 2020}}</ref>

=== {{ font color | #FF7518 | Orange line }}[[File:Kolkata Metro Orange Line.svg|35x35px]][[File:Airplane-logo.png|24x24px]] ===
{{Main|Orange Line (Kolkata Metro)}}
A connection between New Garia and [[Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport]] ({{convert|29.87|km|mi|disp=sqbr|abbr=on}})<ref name="mtp" /> via EM Bypass, Salt Lake and Rajarhat-New Town was sanctioned to reduce travel time between the southern fringes of Kolkata and the airport. Work on this line was inaugurated by the then Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee on 7 February 2011 with a project deadline of six years.<ref>{{cite web|date=8 February 2011|title=Rail set to take over East-West|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/rail-set-to-take-over-east-west-jjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjj/cid/1189808|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822120902/https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/rail-set-to-take-over-east-west-jjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjj/cid/1189808|archive-date=22 August 2020|access-date=29 July 2020|website=The Telegraph}}</ref> The link between [[Kavi Subhash metro station|Kavi Subhash]] and [[Jai Hind metro station|Jai Hind]], to be set up at a cost of {{INRConvert|4259.50|c|lk=off|year=2020}},<ref>{{cite web|last=Chakraborty|first=Ajanta|date=4 Feb 2021|title=Kolkata: In election year, four Metro links get Rs 2,263 crore boost|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/in-election-year-4-metro-links-get-rs-2-2k-cr-boost/articleshow/80676433.cms|access-date=2021-04-13|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=13 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413184843/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/in-election-year-4-metro-links-get-rs-2-2k-cr-boost/articleshow/80676433.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> will have 24 stations with the terminal Jai Hind metro station being an underground one. The work is executed by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited.<ref name=":18">{{cite web |date=30 March 2018 |title=Metro Railway Kolkata / Indian Railways Portal |url=http://mtp.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0,1,397 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330021430/http://mtp.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0,1,397 |archive-date=30 March 2018 |access-date=10 May 2020}}</ref> Jai Hind metro station will also have a stabling yard, and will be the largest underground facility in the country.<ref>{{cite web|last=Gupta|first=Jayanta|date=28 July 2018|title=Airport Metro yard to be country's largest underground facility|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/airport-metro-yard-to-be-countrys-largest-underground-facility/articleshow/65172130.cms|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802014719/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/airport-metro-yard-to-be-countrys-largest-underground-facility/articleshow/65172130.cms|archive-date=2 August 2018|access-date=10 May 2020|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> This line will have interchanges at Kavi Subhash (with Blue line); Salt Lake Sector V (with Green line) and Teghoria/VIP Road (again with Green line).<ref name=":6" /><ref name="mtp" /> In July 2020, bids were invited by RVNL to complete the sections left due to various reasons and hurdles.<ref>{{cite web|last=Shah|first=Narendra|date=4 July 2020|title=Railway Board approves Rs 527 crore for Kolkata Metro Line 6 corridor|url=https://www.metrorailnews.in/railway-board-approves-rs-527-crore-for-kolkata-metro-line-6-corridor/|access-date=7 July 2020|website=Metro Rail News|language=en-US|archive-date=8 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708061037/https://www.metrorailnews.in/railway-board-approves-rs-527-crore-for-kolkata-metro-line-6-corridor/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Khare|first=Anushka|date=12 June 2020|title=ITD bags balance civil work contract of Kolkata Metro's Airport Line|url=https://www.urbantransportnews.com/itd-bags-balance-civil-work-contract-of-kolkata-metros-airport-line/|access-date=7 July 2020|website=Urban Transport News|language=en-US|archive-date=7 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200707165216/https://www.urbantransportnews.com/itd-bags-balance-civil-work-contract-of-kolkata-metros-airport-line/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Initially, the Jai Hind metro station was planned to be elevated. However, the AAI objected that the elevated stretch up to the airport might pose a threat to aircraft, so the route was further reworked and the station was shifted underground, 150&nbsp;m from the Airport terminal building.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":21">{{cite web|last=Mandal|first=Sanjay|date=2 Apr 2012|title=Track tweak for airport link|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1120402/jsp/calcutta/story_15323872.jsp|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170830102918/https://www.telegraphindia.com/1120402/jsp/calcutta/story_15323872.jsp|archive-date=30 August 2017|access-date=13 Dec 2016}}</ref> As per another revised plan, this line will continue till Barasat and the Yellow line would terminate at Jai Hind. There are also possibilities that Jai Hind metro station would serve as a junction of three lines, i.e. Noapara–Jai Hind, Kavi Subhash–Jai Hind, and Jai Hind–Barasat.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":21" />

On 6 March 2024, the [[Kavi Subhash metro station|Kavi Subhash]]-[[Hemanta Mukhopadhyay metro station|Hemanta Mukhopadhyay]] section was inaugurated, completing the 5.4&nbsp;km Phase 1 stretch.<ref name="financialexpress.com"/><ref name="orissadiary.com"/>

== Proposed expansions ==
In 2012, [[RITES]] surveyed 16 new routes for connecting the suburban areas to the city. The key routes were:<ref>{{Cite news|date=2 January 2012|title=Survey of 16 new Metro routes – Times of India|work=The Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Survey-of-16-new-Metro-routes/articleshow/11331304.cms|url-status=live|access-date=27 November 2018|archive-date=28 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181128000714/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Survey-of-16-new-Metro-routes/articleshow/11331304.cms}}</ref>

# [[Majerhat metro station|Majerhat]] to [[Hemanta Mukhopadhyay metro station|Ruby]] via  [[Kalighat]] and [[Ballygunge]]
# [[Basirhat]] to [[Tollygunge]] 
# [[New Garia]] to [[Haroa (community development block)|Haroa]] via [[Bhangar Assembly constituency|Bhangar]]
# [[Joka, Kolkata|Joka]] to [[Mahanayak Uttam Kumar metro station|Mahanayak Uttam Kumar]] via [[Thakurpukur]]
# [[New Garia]] to [[Canning, South 24 Parganas|Canning]] via [[Baruipur]] along with [[EM Bypass]]
# [[Joka, Kolkata|Joka]] to [[Diamond Harbour]] along Diamond Harbour Road ([[Purple Line (Kolkata Metro)|Purple Line]] extension)
# [[Barasat]] to [[Barrackpore]] via [[State Highway 2 (West Bengal)|SH-2]] ([[Yellow Line (Kolkata Metro)|Yellow Line]] extension)
# [[Barrackpore]] to [[Kalyani, West Bengal|Kalyani]] via [[Kalyani Expressway]] ([[Yellow Line (Kolkata Metro)|Yellow Line]]/ [[Pink Line (Kolkata Metro)|Pink Line]] extension)
# [[Madhyamgram]] to [[Barrackpore]] via '''Sodepur Road''' and [[Kalyani Expressway]]
# Branch line of [[Green Line (Kolkata Metro)|Green Line]] from [[Karunamoyee metro station|Karunamoyee]] to [[Kolkata railway station|Kolkata station]]
# [[Howrah Maidan metro station|Howrah Maidan]] – [[Shalimar railway station|Shalimar]] – [[Santragachhi|Santragachi]] ([[Green Line (Kolkata Metro)|Green Line]] extension)<ref>{{cite web|last=Rupak Banerjee|date=2 December 2016|title=2017 start for Howrah EW Metro|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/2017-start-for-Howrah-EW-Metro/articleshow/55734781.cms|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191128080026/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/2017-start-for-Howrah-EW-Metro/articleshow/55734781.cms|archive-date=28 November 2019|access-date=29 July 2020|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=28 August 2018|title=E-W Metro may run till Santragachhi|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/E-W-Metro-may-run-till-Santragachhi/articleshow/53893520.cms|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190730235206/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/E-W-Metro-may-run-till-Santragachhi/articleshow/53893520.cms|archive-date=30 July 2019|access-date=29 July 2020|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref>
# [[Santragachhi|Santragachi]] to Dhulagarh ([[Green Line (Kolkata Metro)|Green Line]] extension)
# Howrah Maidan to [[Dankuni]] via Ichapur Road and Benaras Road
# Howrah Maidan to Srirampore and Chandannagar via Dankuni, [[National Highway 2 (India)|National Highway 2]]
# Howrah Maidan to Belur

''[[The Times of India]]'' published in a news article about the extension plan of a new line of Kolkata metro throughout Basirhat. In future, a third Metro line will emerge out of the Kavi Subhash metro station, when the Baruipur-Basirhat Metro line is sanctioned.<ref name="KaviSubhas">{{cite news 
 |title=Sneak peek into Kavi Subhas station, Kolkata's first rapid transit hub 
 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/sneak-peek-into-kavi-subhas-station-kolkatas-first-rapid-transit-hub/articleshow/97750759.cms 
 |work=The Times of India 
 |publisher=Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. 
 |date=February 9, 2023 
 |access-date=2025-03-14
}}</ref>

== Owners and operators ==
Since the formation of the Metropolitan Transport Project (MTP) in 1969, Kolkata Metro has always been under the [[Indian Railways]], directly or indirectly. It is the only metro in the country to be controlled by Indian Railways. On 29 December 2010, Metro Railway, Kolkata, became the 17th zone of the Indian Railways, completely owned and funded by the [[Ministry of Railways (India)|Ministry of Railways]]. Although [[Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation]] was formed with 50-50 shares of the Government of West Bengal and the Government of India, as the implementing agency of the East–West Corridor, later majority shares were transferred to Indian Railways. In July 2019, the operation of Green line was handed over to Metro Railway, Kolkata.<ref name=":10" /><ref>{{cite web|last=Sanjay Mandal|date=18 July 2019|title=East-West load on struggling Metro|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/east-west-load-on-struggling-metro/cid/1694759|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190723154800/https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/west-bengal/east-west-load-on-struggling-metro/cid/1694759|archive-date=23 July 2019|access-date=20 May 2020|website=The Telegraph|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=29 December 2010|title=Kolkata Metro is now the 17th zone of Indian Railways|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Kolkata-Metro-is-now-the-17th-zone-of-Indian-Railways/articleshow/7186301.cms|access-date=29 December 2010|archive-date=4 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104080043/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-12-29/india/28264643_1_metro-railway-kolkata-metro-foundation-stone|url-status=live}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
!Operator
!Owner
!Line(s)
|-
|'''[[Metro Railway, Kolkata]]''' {{Rail-interchange|kolkata|m|size=30}}
|[[Ministry of Railways (India)]]
|Blue Line, Purple line, Orange Line
|-
|'''[[Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation]]''' {{Rail-interchange|kolkata|ewm|size=25}}
|[[Ministry of Railways (India)]]
|Green Line
|}

== Services ==

=== Operations ===
{{Multiple image
| align             = 
| direction         = vertical
| total_width       = 230
| image1            = East West Metro Kolkata 18.jpg
| alt1              = 
| caption1          = Map showing the whole route of green line 
| image2            = East West Metro Kolkata15.jpg
| caption2          = Display showing upcoming station details and ETA
}}

[[File:Kolkata Metro.jpg|left|thumb|200x200px|Display on platforms|alt=]]
Originally, There are a total of 358 services every day.<ref>{{cite web|date=29 July 2019|title=First/last train|url=https://mtp.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0,2,528|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190711004936/https://mtp.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0,2,528|archive-date=11 July 2019|access-date=17 May 2020|website=mtp.indianrailways.gov.in}}</ref> But, the services and timings were changed due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in West Bengal|COVID-19 pandemic]] and as of November 2024, it operates between 06:50 and 22:40 [[Indian Standard Time|IST]].<ref>{{cite web|date=12 April 2021|title=Time Table|url=https://mtp.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?fontColor=black&backgroundColor=LIGHTSTEELBLUE&lang=0&id=0,2,630|access-date=13 April 2021|website=mtp.indianrailways.gov.in|archive-date=21 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421091427/https://mtp.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?fontColor=black&backgroundColor=LIGHTSTEELBLUE&lang=0&id=0,2,630|url-status=live}}</ref> Trains operate at an average speed of {{convert|23|km/h|mph|2|abbr=on}} and stop for about 10 to 20 seconds at each station, depending on the crowd.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Chakraborty|first1=Ajanta|last2=Gupta|first2=Jayanta|date=5 February 2020|title=Kolkata Metro: 8am on Valentine's Day;Your date with East-West Metro|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/8am-on-valentines-day-your-date-with-east-west-metro/articleshow/73944004.cms|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205180500/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/8am-on-valentines-day-your-date-with-east-west-metro/articleshow/73944004.cms|archive-date=5 February 2020|access-date=17 May 2020|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> All stations have display boards showing the terminating station, current time, scheduled time of arrival and [[estimated time of arrival]] of trains in [[Bengali language|Bangla]], [[Hindi]] and [[English language|English]]. Digital countdown clocks are also present in the stations.<ref>{{cite web|last=Debraj Mitra|date=21 February 2018|title=Metro gets real-time display boards|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/metro-gets-real-time-display-boards/cid/1411249|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822120834/https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/metro-gets-real-time-display-boards/cid/1411249|archive-date=22 August 2020|access-date=24 May 2020|website=The Telegraph|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Metro timetable to remain but boards to display dynamic ETA|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/metro-timetable-to-remain-but-boards-to-display-dynamic-eta/articleshow/68018289.cms|date=16 February 2019|author=Subhro Niyogi|website=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=24 May 2020|archive-date=22 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822120837/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/metro-timetable-to-remain-but-boards-to-display-dynamic-eta/articleshow/68018289.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> The coaches of blue and green line have line route-maps and all line have speakers and displays, which provide details of upcoming stations in the three languages.<ref>{{Citation|last=Ramachandran|first=M.|title=East–West Metro in Kolkata|date=3 November 2011|work=Metro Rail Projects In India|pages=85–100|publisher=Oxford University Press|doi=10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198073987.003.0005|isbn=978-0-19-807398-7}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=10 June 2016|title=1st Refurbished Non-AC Train Rejoins Kolkata Metro|url=https://themetrorailguy.com/2016/06/10/1st-refurbished-non-ac-train-rejoins-kolkata-metro/|access-date=27 July 2020|website=The Metro Rail Guy|language=en-US|archive-date=14 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714072817/https://themetrorailguy.com/2016/06/10/1st-refurbished-non-ac-train-rejoins-kolkata-metro/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=14 February 2020|title=Kolkata 'underwater' Metro: City of Joy gets its second corridor after 36 years|url=https://indianexpress.com/photos/india-news/kolkata-underwater-metro-city-of-joy-gets-its-second-corridor-after-36-years/|access-date=27 July 2020|website=The Indian Express|language=en|archive-date=27 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727063922/https://indianexpress.com/photos/india-news/kolkata-underwater-metro-city-of-joy-gets-its-second-corridor-after-36-years/|url-status=live}}</ref> Navigation information is available on [[Google Maps]].<ref>{{cite web|date=12 May 2015|title=Google Maps Transit Adds Indian Railways Schedules, Updated Bus and Metro Routes for 8 Cities|url=https://gadgets.ndtv.com/internet/news/google-maps-transit-adds-indian-railways-schedules-updated-bus-and-metro-routes-for-8-cities-691374|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708005920/https://gadgets.ndtv.com/internet/news/google-maps-transit-adds-indian-railways-schedules-updated-bus-and-metro-routes-for-8-cities-691374|archive-date=8 July 2020|access-date=7 July 2020|website=NDTV Gadgets 360|language=en}}</ref> Kolkata Metro has launched its own official mobile app 'Metro Ride Kolkata' for android & iOS smartphone users which provides information regarding station, train timing, fare and has online smart card recharge facility along with mobile QR code ticketing.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://mtp.indianrailways.gov.in/view_detail.jsp?lang=0&id=0,4,268&dcd=4404&did=172604705337494EE8EB8DCA25409733A57F28669E10F |access-date=2024-09-25 |website=mtp.indianrailways.gov.in}}</ref>

=== Seat reservation ===
In 2008, the Kolkata Metro Railway experimented with the practice of reserving two entire compartments for women. This system was found to be ineffective and caused inconvenience for a lot of commuters (including women) and the plan was dropped.<ref name=":11">{{cite web|title=Existing Features|url=http://www.mtp.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0,1,304,375,376|date=15 January 2020|website=www.mtp.indianrailways.gov.in|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130806123154/http://www.mtp.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0,1,304,375,376|archive-date=6 August 2013|access-date=30 June 2013}}</ref>

Now, certain sections of seats in each compartment are reserved for women, senior citizens and the physically challenged. The four-seat sections at each end of a coach are reserved for senior citizens and the physically challenged, and the two middle seat sections, between the general seat sections on each side, are reserved for women.<ref>{{cite web|title=Why we must still reserve seats for women on public transport|url=https://citizenmatters.in/reserved-seats-for-women-safety-on-public-transport-4901|date=5 October 2017|website=citizenmatters|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621065902/https://citizenmatters.in/reserved-seats-for-women-safety-on-public-transport-4901|archive-date=21 June 2020|access-date=20 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Big cheer for commuters! First phase of Kolkata Metro East-West Corridor opens; top 10 salient features|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/infrastructure/big-cheer-for-commuters-first-phase-of-kolkata-metro-east-west-corridor-opens-top-10-salient-features/1868227/|date=14 February 2020|website=The Financial Express|language=en-US|access-date=20 May 2020|archive-date=15 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215171409/https://www.financialexpress.com/infrastructure/big-cheer-for-commuters-first-phase-of-kolkata-metro-east-west-corridor-opens-top-10-salient-features/1868227/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=13 October 2018|title=How to Ride the Kolkata Metro Rail or Subway: Insider Tips from a Local Girl! – Orange Wayfarer|url=https://www.orangewayfarer.com/kolkata-metro-rail-guide/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822120827/https://www.orangewayfarer.com/kolkata-metro-rail-guide/|archive-date=22 August 2020|access-date=20 May 2020|website=www.orangewayfarer.com|language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Fare ===
[[File:Mahakaran metro station line - 8.jpg|Kolkata Metro fare chart on Mahakaran metro station|thumb]]
The fare is based on the predetermined distance formulas. Kolkata Metro has the lowest starting fare in the country of {{INRConvert|5||lk=|year=2020}}. For Blue Line, the fare ranges from {{INRConvert|5||lk=|year=2020}} to {{INRConvert|25||lk=|year=2020}},for Green Line, its {{INRConvert|5||lk=|year=2020}} to {{INRConvert|30||lk=|year=2020}}, for Purple Line, the fare ranges from {{INRConvert|5||lk=|year=2020}} to {{INRConvert|20||lk=|year=2020}} and Orange line fare range is from {{INRConvert|5||lk=|year=2020}} to {{INRConvert|20||lk=|year=2020}}.<ref name=":4">{{cite web|title=Metro Railway Kolkata / Indian Railways Portal|url=https://mtp.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?fontColor=black&backgroundColor=LIGHTSTEELBLUE&lang=0&id=0,2,396|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708145341/https://mtp.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?fontColor=black&backgroundColor=LIGHTSTEELBLUE&lang=0&id=0,2,396|archive-date=8 July 2019|access-date=28 February 2020|website=mtp.indianrailways.gov.in}}</ref> [[File:Kolkata Metro Token.jpg|thumb|Metro token|191x191px]]

==== Tickets ====

After using the magnetic ticketing strip system from 1984 to 2011, Kolkata Metro introduced [[radio-frequency identification|Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID)]] tokens by [[Centre for Railway Information Systems]] (CRIS) in partnership with Keltron in August 2011. The old magnetic strip reader gates were replaced with new RFID readers.<ref name=":3">{{cite web|last=Jayanta|date=31 July 2011|title=Smart cards, tokens to replace Metro tickets today|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Smart-cards-tokens-to-replace-Metro-tickets-today/articleshow/9425724.cms|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822120909/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Smart-cards-tokens-to-replace-Metro-tickets-today/articleshow/9425724.cms|archive-date=22 August 2020|access-date=3 March 2020|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Sanjay Mandal|date=10 May 2011|title=A token ride on the Metro|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/a-token-ride-on-the-metro/cid/1192536|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200303112401/https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/west-bengal/a-token-ride-on-the-metro/cid/1192536|archive-date=3 March 2020|access-date=3 March 2020|website=The Telegraph|language=en}}</ref> The gates are [[Automated fare collection|AFC]] types of gates. These tokens are touched on the machine to enter the station, while to exit from the destination station, it is required to submit the token into the machine. The current tokens are coin-shaped and made of plastic. From January, 2025 ticket counters stopped giving token to passenger, as it was getting stolen. For this QR code ticket is now permanent.

====QR Code Ticket====

The Kolkata Metro has introduced a [[QR code]] ticketing system on several lines, including the [[Blue Line (Kolkata Metro)|Blue Line]], [[Green Line (Kolkata Metro)|Green Line]], and [[Orange Line (Kolkata Metro)|Orange Line]], with plans to extend this system to more lines in the future. This system allows commuters to purchase and use [[Mobile ticketing|QR code tickets]] for seamless travel.

[[File:Screenshot of Metro Ride Kolkata QR ticket.jpg|thumb|Screenshot of Kolkata Metro's QR ticket from Howrah Maidan to Howrah Metro]]

Commuters can also opt for mobile QR code tickets via the ''Metro Ride Kolkata app'', available on both [[Google Play|Google Play Store]] and [[App Store (Apple)|iOS App Store]]. Only one person can use a mobile ticket at a time. Users have the option to take a screenshot of the QR code ticket for easy access during travel.

Additionally, the app offers a smart card recharge feature, allowing passengers to top up their metro cards digitally. The balance can then be updated at any Add Value Machine (AVM) located in metro stations. The app also provides real-time metro route and timing information, further enhancing the commuting experience.

==== Smart Card ====
After introducing RFID tokens, Kolkata metro introduced a [[Smart Card]] service provided by CRIS.<ref name=":3" /> Earlier, four different types of smart cards were used: Minimum Multi Ride (MMR), Limited Multi Ride (LMR), General Multi Ride (GMR) and Extended Multi Ride (EMR). They were withdrawn on 7 November 2013 and 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). There is a compulsory refundable security deposit of {{INRConvert|60||lk=|year=2020}}. The card is common for both the Blue line and the Green line.<ref>{{cite web|date=14 February 2020|title=East West Metro In Kolkata Begins Operations On Valentine's Day|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/outlooktraveller/travelnews/story/70071/east-west-metro-in-kolkata-begins-operations-on-valentines-day|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822120830/https://www.outlookindia.com/outlooktraveller/travelnews/story/70071/east-west-metro-in-kolkata-begins-operations-on-valentines-day|archive-date=22 August 2020|access-date=18 May 2020|website=www.outlookindia.com/outlooktraveller|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":12">{{cite web|title=Business Rule of Metro Railway|url=https://mtp.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?fontColor=black&backgroundColor=LIGHTSTEELBLUE&lang=0&id=0,2,395|date=13 March 2020|website=mtp.indianrailways.gov.in|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190705045154/https://mtp.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?fontColor=black&backgroundColor=LIGHTSTEELBLUE&lang=0&id=0,2,395|archive-date=5 July 2019|access-date=18 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=8 May 2018|title=For passenger convenience, Kolkata Metro introduces information in Bengali on smart cards|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/infrastructure/railways/for-passenger-convenience-kolkata-metro-introduces-information-in-bengali-on-smart-cards/1159702/|access-date=7 July 2020|website=The Financial Express|language=en-US|archive-date=9 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200709130740/https://www.financialexpress.com/infrastructure/railways/for-passenger-convenience-kolkata-metro-introduces-information-in-bengali-on-smart-cards/1159702/|url-status=live}}</ref> Online smart card recharge facility was launched on 1 July 2020.<ref>{{cite web|date=1 July 2020|title=Kolkata Metro Web Based Card Recharge System|url=https://mtp.indianrailways.gov.in/KolkataMetroPG/MakePayment.jsp|access-date=1 July 2020|website=mtp.indianrailways.gov.in}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=B|first=Krishnendu|date=30 June 2020|title=Online recharge of Kolkata Metro Smart Card introduced|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/online-recharge-of-kolkata-metro-smart-card-introduced/articleshow/76712639.cms|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200701131117/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/online-recharge-of-kolkata-metro-smart-card-introduced/articleshow/76712639.cms|archive-date=1 July 2020|access-date=1 July 2020|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> These smart cards are not required to be submitted to the [[Automated fare collection|AFC]] gates at the arriving station and can be carried by the passengers. These cards are required to be recharged if the previously recharged money is already spent.

===== Tourist Smart Card =====
Two new types of Tourist Smart Cards were also introduced (Tourist Smart Card – I and Tourist Smart Card – II). This type of smart card is for tourists and has unlimited rides. They cost {{INRConvert|250||lk=|year=2020}}, valid for a day and {{INRConvert|550||lk=|year=2020}}, valid for three days. A security deposit of {{INRConvert|60||lk=|year=2020}} is also charged.<ref name=":12" />

=== Durga Puja special services ===
{{See also|Durga Puja}}
The metro railway runs special night-long services during [[Durga Puja]] (Maha Saptami to Maha Navami) to help people travel faster and more conveniently for [[Durga Puja#Regional celebrations and observances|pandal-hopping]]. The services start at 13:00 and operate till 04:00 the next day. Pre-puja services are also run.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kolkata Metro to run night-long special services to tackle Puja rush|url=http://www.millenniumpost.in/kolkata/kolkata-metro-to-run-night-long-special-services-to-tackle-puja-rush-375195|last=MP|first=Team|date=19 September 2019|website=www.millenniumpost.in|language=en|access-date=19 May 2020|archive-date=23 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190923070709/http://www.millenniumpost.in/kolkata/kolkata-metro-to-run-night-long-special-services-to-tackle-puja-rush-375195|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=3 October 2018|title=Kolkata Metro To Run Night-Long Service During Durga Puja|url=https://www.ndtv.com/kolkata-news/kolkata-metro-railways-to-run-night-long-services-during-durga-puja-1926313|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190811214434/https://www.ndtv.com/kolkata-news/kolkata-metro-railways-to-run-night-long-services-during-durga-puja-1926313|archive-date=11 August 2019|access-date=19 May 2020|website=NDTV.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=3 October 2018|title=Kolkata metro: Kolkata: Night-long Metro services during Durga Puja|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/kolkata-night-long-metro-services-during-durga-puja/articleshow/66057817.cms|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181009061605/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/kolkata-night-long-metro-services-during-durga-puja/articleshow/66057817.cms|archive-date=9 October 2018|access-date=19 May 2020|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref>

=== Security ===
[[File:Salt Lake Stadium Merto Station 30.jpg|thumb|Platform screen door at [[Salt Lake Stadium metro station]]]]
All stations are equipped with [[closed-circuit camera]]s, [[metal detectors]] and baggage scanners. The [[Railway Protection Force]] provides security on the premises.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kolkata metro to install x-ray baggage scanners|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_kolkata-metro-to-install-x-ray-baggage-scanners_1749283|date=5 October 2012|work=Daily News and Analysis|access-date=7 November 2012|archive-date=19 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019032348/http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_kolkata-metro-to-install-x-ray-baggage-scanners_1749283|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Integrated Security System|url=https://mtp.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0,1,304,394,412|date=14 January 2020|website=mtp.indianrailways.gov.in|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190217162131/http://mtp.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0,1,304,394,412|archive-date=17 February 2019|access-date=19 May 2020}}</ref> Smoking is strictly prohibited in the metro premises. All stations in the Green Line have half-height and full-height platform screen doors for elevated and underground stations, respectively.<ref name=":10" />

=== Other facilities ===
All stations have televisions that broadcast news and songs.<ref>{{cite web|title=INCODA TV HD inks sales partnership deal with Aidem Ventures – Exchange4media|url=https://www.exchange4media.com/out-of-home-news/incoda-tv-hd-inks-sales-partnership-deal-with-aidem-ventures-69001.html|website=Indian Advertising Media & Marketing News – exchange4media|date=29 May 2017 |language=en|access-date=17 May 2020|archive-date=22 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822120827/https://www.exchange4media.com/out-of-home-news/incoda-tv-hd-inks-sales-partnership-deal-with-aidem-ventures-69001.html|url-status=live}}</ref> WiFi was introduced at Park Street and Maidan metro station in 2016. Gradually, it was expanded to all the stations. The service is provided by [[Reliance jio|Reliance Jio]].<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Get set for Wi-Fi service on Kolkata's underground metro. rail!|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/west-bengal/story/wi-fi-service-kolkata-underground-metro-rail-11927-2016-06-01|author=Indrajit Kundu |date=June 1, 2016 |magazine=India Today|language=en|access-date=18 May 2020|archive-date=22 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822120827/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/west-bengal/story/wi-fi-service-kolkata-underground-metro-rail-11927-2016-06-01|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=14 October 2015|title=Free Wi-Fi at Metro stations|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/free-wi-fi-at-metro-stations/cid/1484772|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822120829/https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/free-wi-fi-at-metro-stations/cid/1484772|archive-date=22 August 2020|access-date=18 May 2020|website=The Telegraph|language=en}}</ref>

Most stations have services such as [[Automatic teller machine|ATMs]], food outlets, and chemist stalls. To ease crowding for recharging smart cards, two Automatic Card recharge machines were installed at Dum Dum.<ref>{{cite web|date=2 January 2020|title=List of passenger amenities item at stations|url=https://mtp.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0,2,322|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709101915/https://mtp.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0,2,322|archive-date=9 July 2019|access-date=24 May 2020|website=mtp.indianrailways.gov.in}}</ref> On account of the [[Swachh Bharat Mission|''Swacchota–i–Seba'']] (in English, Cleanliness is service), a nationwide awareness and mobilization campaign on cleanliness, plastic bottle crushers were placed at multiple stations.<ref>{{cite web|title=Metro Railway observes "Swachhta – Hi –Seva"|url=https://mtp.indianrailways.gov.in/view_detail.jsp?lang=0&dcd=405&id=0,4,268|date=11 September 2019|website=mtp.indianrailways.gov.in|access-date=24 May 2020}}</ref>

== Ridership ==
Kolkata Metro is the 2nd busiest metro system in [[India]]. 2,465 travel by every Metro train in [[Kolkata]] against 1,110 in [[Delhi metro]]. Kolkata Metro carries around 700,000 people daily.<ref>{{cite web|title=2,465 travel by every Metro train in Kolkata against 1,110 in Delhi -|url=https://www.metrorailnews.in/2465-travel-by-every-metro-train-in-kolkata-against-1110-in-delhi/|last=Verma|first=Kanika|date=17 July 2019|website=Metro Rail News|language=en-US|access-date=19 May 2020|archive-date=6 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191206083128/https://www.metrorailnews.in/2465-travel-by-every-metro-train-in-kolkata-against-1110-in-delhi/|url-status=live}}</ref> The daily and annual ridership has consistently risen since 1984. Low fares and fast and convenient travel have contributed to the high ridership figures. During the 2019 Durga Puja, there was a record ridership of {{Lakh|9.22}}.<ref>{{cite web|title=Metro Services|url=https://mtp.indianrailways.gov.in/template/site1/images/km1.jpg|website=mtp.indianrailways.gov.in|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190812015116/https://mtp.indianrailways.gov.in/template/site1/images/km1.jpg|archive-date=12 August 2019|access-date=19 May 2020}}</ref><ref name=":16" />
{{Bar chart
| title       = Kolkata Metro Approximate Daily Ridership (Last 30 Years)
| label_type  = Year
| data_type   = Ridership
| bar_width   = 50
| width_units = em
| data_max    = 600000
| label1     = 1995–96
| data1      = 118564
| comment1   = +122.2%
| label2     = 1996–97
| data2      = 171468
| comment2   = +44.6%
| label3     = 1997–98
| data3      = 189411
| comment3   = +10.5%
| label4     = 1998–99
| data4      = 158975
| comment4   = -16.1%
| label5     = 1999–2000
| data5      = 152830
| comment5   = -3.9%
| label6     = 2000–01
| data6      = 193441
| comment6   = +26.6%
| label7     = 2001–02
| data7      = 210019
| comment7   = +8.6%
| label8     = 2002–03
| data8      = 211926
| comment8   = +0.9%
| label9     = 2003–04
| data9      = 248090
| comment9   = +17.1%
| label10    = 2004–05
| data10     = 267293
| comment10  = +7.7%
| label11    = 2005–06
| data11     = 295542
| comment11  = +10.6%
| label12    = 2006–07
| data12     = 314666
| comment12  = +6.5%
| label13    = 2007–08
| data13     = 330471
| comment13  = +5.0%
| label14    = 2008–09
| data14     = 346677
| comment14  = +4.9%
| label15    = 2009–10
| data15     = 375271
| comment15  = +8.3%
| label16    = 2010–11
| data16     = 435792
| comment16  = +16.1%
| label17    = 2011–12
| data17     = 458762
| comment17  = +5.3%
| label18    = 2012–13
| data18     = 515885
| comment18  = +12.4%
| label19    = 2013–14
| data19     = 533800
| comment19  = +3.5%
| label20    = 2014–15
| data20     = 501756
| comment20  = -6.0%
| label21    = 2015–16
| data21     = 525033
| comment21  = +4.6%
| label22    = 2016–17
| data22     = 540310
| comment22  = +2.9%
| label23    = 2017–18
| data23     = 564762
| comment23  = +4.5%
| label24    = 2018–19
| data24     = 584395
| comment24  = +3.5%
| label25    = 2019–20
| data25     = 559778
| comment25  = -4.2%
| label26    = 2020–21
| data26     = 72660
| comment26  = -87.0%
| label27    = 2021–22
| data27     = 209701
| comment27  = +188.6%
| label28    = 2022–23
| data28     = 484701
| comment28  = +131.1%
| label29    = 2023–24
| data29     = 527460
| comment29  = +8.8%
| label30    = 2024–25
| data30     = 597534
| comment30  = +13.3%
}}

{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
|+ class="nowrap" | Complete Ridership Data of Kolkata Metro{{Refn|<ref>{{cite web|title=Comprehensive Mobility Plan Back to Basics Kolkata Metropolitan Area|url=https://wricitieshub.org/sites/default/files/Comprehensive%20Mobility%20Plan%20for%20Kolkata%20Metropolitan%20Area.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170507225743/http://wricitieshub.org/sites/default/files/Comprehensive%20Mobility%20Plan%20for%20Kolkata%20Metropolitan%20Area.pdf|archive-date=7 May 2017|access-date=19 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Performance of the Metro Railway, Kolkata for 2010-11|url=https://www.indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/stat_econ/ASS-2010-11/Part4_4.pdf|website=indianrailways.gov.in|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130402114721/http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/stat_econ/ASS-2010-11/Part4_4.pdf|archive-date=2 April 2013|access-date=19 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Performance of the Metro Railway, Kolkata for 2009-10|url=https://www.indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/stat_econ/Stat_0910/Annual_Statistical_Statements_2009-10_Rly_Bilingual.pdf|website=indianrailways.gov.in|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140823185514/http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/stat_econ/Stat_0910/Annual_Statistical_Statements_2009-10_Rly_Bilingual.pdf|archive-date=23 August 2014|access-date=19 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Singh|first=Shiv Sahay|date=20 March 2020|title=Sharp fall in Kolkata Metro traffic|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/sharp-fall-in-kolkata-metro-traffic/article31112890.ece|access-date=19 May 2020|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=21 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200321001303/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/sharp-fall-in-kolkata-metro-traffic/article31112890.ece|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Hossain|first=Shaheryar|date=23 Nov 2020|title=Over 1 Lakh passengers avail Metro services on Nov 18|work=millenniumpost|url=http://www.millenniumpost.in/kolkata/over-1-lakh-passengers-avail-metro-services-on-nov-18-424567|access-date=21 Feb 2021|archive-date=27 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127135735/http://www.millenniumpost.in/kolkata/over-1-lakh-passengers-avail-metro-services-on-nov-18-424567|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Chakraborty|first=Ajanta|date=8 Aug 2021|title=Kolkata: Metro footfall crosses 2 lakh mark in 3 weeks|work=[[The Times of India]]|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/metro-footfall-crosses-2l-mark-in-3-weeks/articleshow/85138646.cms|access-date=11 Aug 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Ajanta Chakraborty|date=Dec 22, 2021|title=Kolkata Metro crosses 4 lakh daily ridership {{!}} Kolkata News – Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/metro-crosses-4l-daily-ridership/articleshow/88419718.cms|access-date=2022-02-21|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Ministry of Railways|date=Jun 17, 2024|title=Kolkata Metro Ridership |url=https://mtp.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?fontColor=black&backgroundColor=LIGHTSTEELBLUE&lang=0&id=0,2,664|access-date=2024-06-17|website=Metro Railway Kolkata|language=en}}</ref>}}
!Year
!Annual Passengers (in lakhs)
!Approximate Daily Ridership
|-
|1984 - 1985
|14.66
|           4,016
|-
|1985 - 1986
|27.58
|           7,556
|-
|1986 - 1987
|98.41
|         26,962
|-
|1987 - 1988
|157.84
|         43,244
|-
|1988 - 1989
|169.57
|         46,458
|-
|1989 - 1990
|197.51
|         54,112
|-
|1990 - 1991
|226.17
|         61,964
|-
|1991 - 1992
|241.44
|         66,148
|-
|1992 - 1993
|154.57
|         42,348
|-
|1993 - 1994
|158.62
|         43,458
|-
|1994 - 1995
|194.86
|         53,386
|-
|1995 - 1996
|432.76
|      1,18,564
|-
|1996 - 1997
|625.86
|      1,71,468
|-
|1997 - 1998
|691.35
|      1,89,411
|-
|1998 - 1999
|580.26
|      1,58,975
|-
|1999 - 2000
|557.83
|      1,52,830
|-
|2000 - 2001
|706.06
|      1,93,441
|-
|2001 - 2002
|766.57
|      2,10,019
|-
|2002 - 2003
|773.53
|      2,11,926
|-
|2003 - 2004
|905.53
|      2,48,090
|-
|2004 - 2005
|975.62
|      2,67,293
|-
|2005 - 2006
|1078.73
|      2,95,542
|-
|2006 - 2007
|1148.53
|      3,14,666
|-
|2007 - 2008
|1206.22
|      3,30,471
|-
|2008 - 2009
|1265.37
|      3,46,677
|-
|2009 - 2010
|1369.74
|      3,75,271
|-
|2010 - 2011
|1590.64
|      4,35,792
|-
|2011 - 2012
|1674.48
|      4,58,762
|-
|2012 - 2013
|1882.98
|      5,15,885
|-
|2013 - 2014
|1948.37
|      5,33,800
|-
|2014 - 2015
|1831.41
|      5,01,756
|-
|2015 - 2016
|1916.37
|      5,25,033
|-
|2016 - 2017
|1972.13
|      5,40,310
|-
|2017 - 2018
|2061.38
|      5,64,762
|-
|2018 - 2019
|2133.04
|      5,84,395
|-
|2019 - 2020
|2043.19
|      5,59,778
|-
|2020 - 2021
|265.21
|         72,660
|-
|2021 - 2022
|765.41
|      2,09,701
|-
|2022 - 2023
|1769.16
|      4,84,701
|-
|2023 - 2024
|1925.23
|      5,27,460
|-
|2024 - 2025
|2181
|      5,97,534
|}


'''Breakup of annual ridership Line wise for the year 2024-2025 (01 Apr 2024 to 31 Mar 2025)''' : <ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-04-02 |title=METRO CARRIED 21.81 CRORE PASSENGERS IN 2024-25 |url=https://mtp.indianrailways.gov.in/view_detail.jsp?lang=0&id=0,4,268&dcd=4884&did=17435752865180E43FEBD19DEAA0C7DEF08AE4E019D1A |access-date=2025-04-02 |work=[[Metro Railway, Kolkata]] Press Release}}</ref>

Blue Line    18.93 crore

Green Line   2.80 crore   (Line 1  1.41 crore + Line 2 1.39 crore)

Purple Line     1.76 lakh

Orange Line    5.92 lakh

== Infrastructure ==
=== Rolling stock ===
{{Main|Kolkata Metro rolling stock}}
Source:<ref>{{cite web|title=Rolling Stock|url=https://mtp.indianrailways.gov.in/uploads/files/1579075732839-website%20updated%20information.pdf|date=2 May 2020|website=mtp.indianrailways.gov.in|access-date=20 May 2020}}</ref>

[[File:KolkataMetroOldCoaches.jpg|thumb|245x245px|Old NGEF Non AC rakes. These were operational in blue line from 1984 to 2021.]]
[[File:KolkataMetro3000siries.JPG|thumb|245x245px|[[Integral Coach Factory|ICF]] [[Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited|BHEL]] rakes. These are operational only in Blue line since 2010.]]
[[File:The metro of Blue line of Kolkata (1).jpg|thumb|247x247px|[[Integral Coach Factory|ICF]]\MEDHA rakes. These are operational in Blue line since 2019 and Purple and Orange line since their inauguration.]]
[[File:Kolkata Metro CRRC Dalian rake 2.png|thumb|[[CRRC Dalian]] rakes. These are operational only in Blue line since 2023.|247x247px]]
[[File:East West Metro Kolkata rake.jpg|thumb|[[BEML]] rake operational only in Green line since 2020.]]

=== Depots and yards ===
{{Main|List of Kolkata Metro depots and yards}}
There are 5 operational depots now. The '''Noapara''', '''Tollygunge''' and '''New Garia''' depots serve the [[Blue Line (Kolkata Metro)|Blue Line]], the '''New Garia''' depot also serve the [[Orange Line (Kolkata Metro)|Orange Line]], while the '''Central Park''' depot serves the [[Green Line (Kolkata Metro)|Green Line]] and the '''Joka''' depot serves the [[Purple Line (Kolkata Metro)|Purple Line]]<ref>{{Cite news|author=Ajanta Chakraborty|title=E-W Metro ready for trial run between Central Park & Sec V|language=en|newspaper=The Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/e-w-metro-ready-for-trial-run-between-central-park-sec-v/articleshow/64850270.cms|access-date=16 May 2020|archive-date=27 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727041611/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/e-w-metro-ready-for-trial-run-between-central-park-sec-v/articleshow/64850270.cms|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Mitra|first=Debraj|date=4 March 2019|title=Metro rake from China off vessel|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/metro-rake-from-china-off-vessel/cid/1686223|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306043437/https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/west-bengal/metro-rake-from-china-off-vessel/cid/1686223|archive-date=6 March 2019|access-date=16 May 2020|website=The Telegraph|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Yard remodelling may affect Metro services for a month|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/yard-remodelling-may-affect-metro-services-for-a-month/articleshow/64312300.cms|author=Jayanta Gupta|language=en|access-date=16 May 2020|newspaper=The Times of India|date=25 May 2018 |archive-date=29 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180529065852/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/yard-remodelling-may-affect-metro-services-for-a-month/articleshow/64312300.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> A depot at [[New Town, Kolkata|New Town]] for [[Orange Line (Kolkata Metro)|Orange Line]] and a yard at [[Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport|Airport]] are under construction.<ref>{{Cite news|author=Jayanta Gupta|date=7 October 2018|title=Work gets going on Metro's airport station|language=en|newspaper=The Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/work-gets-going-on-metros-airport-station/articleshow/66104152.cms|url-status=live|access-date=16 May 2020|archive-date=3 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403023327/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/work-gets-going-on-metros-airport-station/articleshow/66104152.cms}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{cite web|last=Mandal|first=Sanjay|date=21 April 2019|title=Metro hub 150&nbsp;m from Calcutta airport|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/metro-hub-150m-from-calcutta-airport/cid/1689212|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190422072540/https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/west-bengal/metro-hub-150m-from-calcutta-airport/cid/1689212|archive-date=22 April 2019|access-date=16 May 2020|website=The Telegraph|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Rail Vikas Nigam invites bids for Joka-Esplanade Metro Project|url=https://www.constructionweekonline.in/projects-tenders/13251-rail-vikas-nigam-invites-bids-for-joka-esplanade-metro-project|website=Construction Week Online India|date=30 April 2020 |language=en|access-date=16 May 2020|archive-date=22 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822120840/https://www.constructionweekonline.in/projects-tenders/13251-rail-vikas-nigam-invites-bids-for-joka-esplanade-metro-project|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Stations and electrification ===
'''Kolkata Metro''' has 50 operational stations, of which 21 are underground, 26 are elevated and 3 are at grade. Currently, [[Noapara Metro Station|Noapara]] is the largest metro station in the system and it will be the interchange station for the [[Blue Line (Kolkata Metro)|Blue Line]] and [[Yellow Line (Kolkata Metro)|Yellow Line]]. [[Howrah metro station]] is the deepest metro station in India.<ref name=":17" /> The standard length of platforms in Kolkata Metro is 170&nbsp;m. The metro stations of [[Gitanjali Metro Station|Gitanjali]] and [[Netaji Metro Station|Netaji]] have the shortest platforms of 163&nbsp;m.<ref>{{cite web|last=Mandal|first=Sanjay|date=26 May 2010|title=Metro overshoots safety line – Platforms at two stations shorter than stipulated|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/metro-overshoots-safety-line-platforms-at-two-stations-shorter-than-stipulated/cid/1181235|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822120938/https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/metro-overshoots-safety-line-platforms-at-two-stations-shorter-than-stipulated/cid/1181235|archive-date=22 August 2020|access-date=30 June 2013|website=The Telegraph}}</ref> The average length between any two stations is {{convert|1.14|km|mi|abbr=on}}. The shortest distance is {{convert|0.597|km|mi|abbr=on}} between [[Central metro station (Kolkata)|Central]] and [[Chandni Chowk Metro Station, Kolkata|Chandni Chowk]], and the longest distance is {{convert|2.38|km|mi|abbr=on}} between [[Noapara metro station and depot|Noapara]] and [[Baranagar metro station|Baranagar]]. Since the Kolkata Metro has {{750 V DC|conductor=y}} electrification, electricity substations were built in [[Jatin Das Park Metro Station|Jatin Das Park]], [[Central metro station (Kolkata)|Central]] and [[Shyambazaar Metro Station|Shyambazar]].<ref name=":11" />

=== Signalling and telecommunication ===
==== Blue Line ====
Trains operate on typical Indian Railways automatic signaling technology. A Route Relay Interlocking System has been provided at [[New Garia depot]] and [[Tollygunge depot]] and Electronic Interlocking has been provided at [[Noapara metro station and depot|Noapara depot]] to facilitate the prompt withdrawal and injection of rakes and to perform shunting operations inside the car shed for maintenance purposes. The [[Train Protection & Warning System|Train Protection and Warning System]] (TPWS) is provided throughout the Metro Railway. It is designed to prevent collisions caused by human (operator) error.<ref>{{cite web|date=3 March 2013|title=Automatic warning to make Metro safer|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Automatic-warning-to-make-Metro-safer/articleshow/18771909.cms|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116115057/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-03-03/kolkata/37409504_1_ac-rakes-conventional-rakes-konkan-railway|archive-date=16 January 2014|website=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=30 June 2013}}</ref> A Train Describer System and Auto Train Charting are utilized to assist the operation control center in monitoring and planning train movements in real-time. An Integrated Power Supply System and microprocessor-based Data Logger System have also been provided.<ref>{{cite web|title=Existing Signalling System|url=http://www.mtp.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0,1,304,394,407|date=1 January 2020|website=mtp.indianrailways.gov.in|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130602083253/http://www.mtp.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0,1,304,394,407|archive-date=2 June 2013|access-date=30 June 2013}}</ref> An integrated system of STM-1 and STM-4 [[optical fibre cable]] is used for all [[telecommunication]], signaling, SCADA and other circuits in Blue line. The service is provided by [[RailTel Corporation of India|RailTel]].<ref name="mtp.indianrailways.gov.in">{{cite web|title=Optical Fibre Cable Communication System|url=https://mtp.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0,1,304,394,414|date=14 October 2014|website=mtp.indianrailways.gov.in|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190217151910/http://mtp.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0,1,304,394,414|archive-date=17 February 2019|access-date=20 May 2020}}</ref>

An upgrade of the existing signaling system of the [[Blue Line (Kolkata Metro)|Blue Line]] from Indian Railways signalling to [[Communications-based train control]] (CBTC) was planned by [[Metro Railway, Kolkata]] at {{INRConvert|467|c|lk=on|year=2020}} and the proposal was sent to Indian Railways, so that time interval between trains can be decreased to just 90 seconds from 5 minutes. In August 2019, Indian Railways gave the go-ahead to the proposal, and installation work is supposed to be complete within 2–3 years.<ref name=":5" />
==== Green Line ====
Unlike the previous line, the Green line adopted a more advanced CBTC system. It has [[cab signalling]] and a centralised [[automatic train control]] system consisting of [[Automatic train operation|automatic operation]], [[Automatic train protection|protection]], and signaling modules. The signaling system is provided by Italy-based company [[Ansaldo STS]]. The other signalling equipment includes an integrated system with fibre optic cable, SCADA, radios, and a public-address system.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kolkata Metro East-West Corridor|url=https://www.railway-technology.com/projects/kolkatametro/|website=Railway Technology|language=en-GB|access-date=18 May 2020|archive-date=21 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200521020500/https://www.railway-technology.com/projects/kolkatametro/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Kolkata East West Metro gets safety clearance for signalling systems|url=https://www.urbantransportnews.com/kolkata-east-west-metro-gets-safety-clearance-for-signalling-systems/|last=Batra|first=Mannat|date=12 July 2019|website=Urban Transport News|language=en-US|access-date=18 May 2020|archive-date=7 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200307144619/https://www.urbantransportnews.com/kolkata-east-west-metro-gets-safety-clearance-for-signalling-systems/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Mandal|first=Sanjay|date=29 July 2020|title=Smart signalling for swifter East-West|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/smart-signalling-for-swifter-east-west/cid/1403493|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822120842/https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/smart-signalling-for-swifter-east-west/cid/1403493|archive-date=22 August 2020|access-date=18 May 2020|website=The Telegraph|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation Ltd.|url=http://www.kmrc.in/highlight.php|website=www.kmrc.in|access-date=24 May 2020|archive-date=25 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200125025126/http://www.kmrc.in/highlight.php|url-status=live}}</ref>
==== Purple and Orange Line ====
CBTC systems are currently being installed in both the Purple and Orange Lines.<ref>{{cite web |title=Metro looks at driverless tech to extend services till late hours |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/metro-looks-at-driverless-tech-to-extend-services-till-late-hours/articleshow/110344572.cms |website=Times of India |date=23 May 2024 |access-date=23 May 2024}}</ref>

=== Public address system ===
[[File:Inside a Dum Dum bound line 1 Kolkata metro train.jpg|thumb|Inside a Dum Dum bound Blue Line Kolkata metro train.]]
PA systems are present at all stations and their premises. A station master can make a necessary announcement to the passengers and staff, overriding the ongoing local announcement. Train PA systems are controlled by the motormen for announcements to passengers on the particular train.<ref>{{cite web|title=Public Address System (PA System)|url=https://mtp.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0,1,304,394,410|date=8 May 2014|website=mtp.indianrailways.gov.in|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190217144414/http://mtp.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0,1,304,394,410|archive-date=17 February 2019|access-date=20 May 2020}}</ref>

== Issues ==
Since the Kolkata Metro was constructed in the 1970s, there were some technical limitations. Due to the tunnel dimensions, and being under Indian Railways, Kolkata Metro opted for an Indian [[Metre-gauge railway|metre gauge]] shell (2.7 m width) mounted upon {{TrackGauge|1676mm}} [[Broad-gauge railway|broad gauge]] bogies. The rakes have to be custom built and require a special assembly line involving additional costs thus limiting the options for rake manufacturers for [[Blue Line (Kolkata Metro)|Blue Line]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Jayanta Gupta|date=23 August 2019|title=Kolkata Metro will continue to have problems with rakes, thanks to its construction|work=The Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/metro-will-continue-to-have-problems-with-rakes-thanks-to-its-construction/articleshow/70795410.cms|url-status=live|access-date=30 July 2020|archive-date=27 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200127210954/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/metro-will-continue-to-have-problems-with-rakes-thanks-to-its-construction/articleshow/70795410.cms}}</ref> From its inception, the coaches were manufactured by [[Integral Coach Factory|ICF]], which lacked the pre-requisite knowledge for manufactured non-air-conditioning rakes. The 3000 and 4000 series rakes were faulty and delivered without any trials. In addition, Indian Railways signaling is used instead of European signaling. All of these factors have led to snags, delays, and accidents.<ref>{{cite web|last=Gupta|first=Jayanta|date=12 June 2019|title=After Monday's disruption, Kolkata Metro back to old rakes; services dip|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/after-mondays-disruption-metro-back-to-old-rakes-services-dip/articleshow/69747423.cms|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190613055414/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/after-mondays-disruption-metro-back-to-old-rakes-services-dip/articleshow/69747423.cms|archive-date=13 June 2019|access-date=19 May 2020|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref>{{Verify source|date=May 2022}}<ref>{{cite web|last=Mitra|first=Debraj|date=13 July 2019|title=New trains with a history of snags|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/new-calcutta-metro-trains-with-a-history-of-snags/cid/1694454|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822120920/https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/new-calcutta-metro-trains-with-a-history-of-snags/cid/1694454|archive-date=22 August 2020|access-date=19 May 2020|website=The Telegraph|language=en}}</ref>{{Verify source|date=May 2022}}

Unlike Delhi Metro, Kolkata Metro is owned and operated by Indian Railways instead of an autonomous body, and it relies solely on Indian Railways for every decision, from funding to route realignment.<ref name=":8">{{cite web|last=B|first=Krishnendu|date=18 April 2019|title=Systemic faults behind East-West Kolkata Metro delay, says expert|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/systemic-faults-behind-e-w-delay-says-expert/articleshow/68929581.cms|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822120754/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/systemic-faults-behind-e-w-delay-says-expert/articleshow/68929581.cms|archive-date=22 August 2020|access-date=19 May 2020|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Bhattacharya|first1=Alokesh|last2=J|first2=Anand|date=9 January 2012|title=DMRC MD E Sreedharan says many Indian cities need metro rail urgently|url=https://www.businesstoday.in/opinion/interviews/e-sreedharan-delhi-metro-interview/story/21128.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171110195448/http://www.businesstoday.in/opinion/interviews/e-sreedharan-delhi-metro-interview/story/21128.html|archive-date=10 November 2017|access-date=19 May 2020|website=www.businesstoday.in}}</ref>

===Underground tunnels===
In densely populated areas, there are no free spaces left to build elevated metro tracks and stations. As a result, underground systems are constructed in these areas. However, the construction of an underground metro tunnel in the Bowbazar area has caused cracks in the houses of many residents. Consequently, the metro authority had to evacuate the people, leading to massive delays and slow development in the construction of the metro railway in that area.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-10-15 |title=Metro tunneling work in Kolkata's Bowbazar area: 140 evacuated as cracks surface in 10 houses |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/metro-tunneling-work-in-kolkatas-bowbazar-area-140-evacuated-as-cracks-surface-in-10-houses-8209461/ |access-date=2024-05-05 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Transport in Kolkata]]
** [[Kolkata Suburban Railway]]
** [[Trams in Kolkata]]
* [[Urban rail transit in India]]
* [[List of rapid transit systems]]
* [[List of metro systems]]
* [[List of suburban and commuter rail systems]]
* [[Zones and divisions of Indian Railways]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.mtp.indianrailways.gov.in/ Metro Railway Kolkata]
* [http://www.kmrc.in/ Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation]
* {{Twitter|metrorailwaykol}}

{{Kolkata Metro|all=yes}}
{{Kolkata topics}}
{{Rapid transit in India}}
{{Rapid transit in Asia}}
{{Portal bar|Trains|Transport|Engineering|India}}

[[Category:Kolkata Metro| ]]
[[Category:Underground rapid transit in India]]
[[Category:Railway lines opened in 1984]]
[[Category:Standard-gauge railways in India]]
[[Category:5 ft 6 in gauge railways in India]]
[[Category:750 V DC railway electrification]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Kolkata]]
[[Category:Rail transport in West Bengal]]
[[Category:Transport in Kolkata]]