Kolkata Metro to get three new lines: Check routes, stations, and 10 key facts about the new stretches

Kolkata will witness a major boost in urban infrastructure on Friday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates three new metro stretches and lays the foundation stone for a key expressway project. The projects are expected to reduce travel time, decongest roads, and improve connectivity across the city, including a long-awaited direct metro link to the airport.

10 key facts about the new projects

Metro network expansion – A total of 13.61 km of metro lines will be inaugurated, one of the largest single-day additions to Kolkata’s transport system.

First direct airport link – The Noapara–Jai Hind Bimanbandar stretch (Yellow Line) will connect Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport to the city for the first time in 41 years.

Reduced travel time – A road journey of 50 minutes will come down to 11 minutes, while the airport travel time from Esplanade will reduce to about 30 minutes.

Green Line extension – The 2.45 km Sealdah–Esplanade link will connect Howrah and Sealdah, two of the city’s busiest railway hubs.

Orange Line link – The Hemanta Mukhopadhyay–Beleghata stretch (4.4 km) will improve access to Science City, hospitals, schools, and IT hubs.More trains for commuters – The three new stretches will add 366 services daily, raising the carrying capacity to 9.15 lakh passengers.Single smart card – A common metro card will work across all lines.Modern amenities – New stations will have wider concourses, lifts, escalators, toilets, facilities for the differently abled, and digital information systems.

Airport terminal design – The Jai Hind Bimanbandar terminal will be fully underground with direct airport access. Jessore Road station has been built at ground level.

Boost to economy and tourism – Authorities expect smoother connectivity to help trade, airport-linked business, and tourism.

Kolkata East-West Metro to be fully commissioned

Kolkata will get its second lifeline when the full 16.6 km East-West Metro, connecting Salt Lake Sector V to Howrah Maidan, is commissioned. Until now, the North-South corridor was the only uninterrupted metro route.

The 4.8 km Esplanade–Howrah Maidan line, India’s first under-river metro, includes twin tunnels 30 metres below the Hooghly river. It features India’s deepest metro station inside Howrah railway station.

The city will also get a third addition with the Orange Line’s 4.4 km Ruby–Metropolitan (Beleghata) section opening for passengers.