Kolkata Metro

Kolkata Metro
Name	Kolkata Metro
Locale	Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Transit type	Rapid transit
Began operation	24 October 1984
Lines	4 (operational)
Stations	52 (operational)
Track gauge	sg
Operator	Metro Railway, Kolkata
System length	59.38 km (36.90 mi)

Kolkata Metro. It is the first rapid transit system in India, opening its first commercial service in 1984. Operated by Metro Railway, Kolkata, a subsidiary of the Indian Railways, it serves the Kolkata metropolitan area and is a critical component of the city's public transport network. The system has grown from a single north-south line to a multi-line network, significantly easing urban congestion in one of the world's most densely populated cities.

History

The genesis of the system can be traced to a 1949 proposal by the Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry, with formal planning initiated in the 1970s. Construction on the initial corridor began in 1972, facing significant challenges including the soft alluvial soil of the Hooghly River basin and navigating the dense urban fabric of central Kolkata. The first 3.4-kilometre stretch between Esplanade and Bhowanipore opened for limited service in 1984, with full commercial operations on the Dum Dum to Tollygunge line commencing in 1995. Subsequent decades saw the network expand eastward to Salt Lake and New Garia, and across the Hooghly River to Howrah.

Network

The operational network comprises four lines. The original Line 1, or the North-South Corridor, runs from Dakshineswar in the north to Kavi Subhash in the south. Line 2, the East-West Metro, connects Salt Lake Sector V with Howrah Maidan, passing under the Hooghly River via India's first underwater transportation tunnel. Line 3, or the Purple Line, serves the Joka to Taratala section, with extensions underway. Line 4, the Green Line, operates between Dum Dum and Noapara, with a branch to Kolkata Airport. Key interchange stations include Esplanade, Central, and Mahanayak Uttam Kumar.

Operations

Daily services commence around 7:00 AM and conclude near 10:00 PM, with headways ranging from 5 to 15 minutes depending on the line and time of day. The system uses a distance-based fare structure, with tickets available as tokens, smart cards, and through the Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation's mobile application. Security is managed by the Government Railway Police and the Railway Protection Force, with surveillance aided by extensive CCTV networks. Integration with other modes like the Kolkata Suburban Railway, trams in Kolkata, and bus transport in Kolkata is facilitated at major stations.

Infrastructure

The network utilizes a mix of elevated, at-grade, and underground sections, with the deepest station at Howrah. It operates on 25 kV AC overhead line electrification and uses standard gauge track. Signaling is based on the Train Protection & Warning System and Cab signalling, with plans for upgrading to Communication-based train control. Power is supplied from substations of the West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company, backed by diesel generator sets for emergency operations at stations.

Rolling stock

The fleet consists of electric multiple units supplied primarily by Integral Coach Factory in Chennai. The older rakes on Line 1 feature conventional electrical systems, while newer trains for the East-West Metro and other lines incorporate modern three-phase induction motor propulsion and regenerative braking. Coach interiors are designed with fiberglass seats, digital display systems, and closed-circuit television for passenger safety. Maintenance is carried out at depots located at Noapara, Central Park, and Joka.

Future expansion

A significant expansion program is underway, with over 100 kilometres of new lines under construction. Major projects include the completion of the Joka to Esplanade corridor, the New Garia to Kolkata Airport line via Rajpur Sonarpur, and the Barasat to Dakshineswar link. The East-West Metro is being extended from Salt Lake Sector V to Sealdah and ultimately to Howrah Maidan. These projects are being executed by the Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation under the administrative control of the Ministry of Railways (India).

Category:Railway companies of India Category:Rapid transit in India Category:Transport in Kolkata