Joy to the City of Joy: PM Modi’s Metro Gift, Connecting Kolkata from Heart to Heart
A Decade of Unmatched Progress
Kolkata was India’s first Metro city. Yet from 1984 to 2014, only 27.99 km of Metro was built in three decades. In the last 10 years under Prime Minister Modi, 45 km has been added 161% more than the previous 30 years combined. From being the first Metro city to now becoming the fastest expanding network, Kolkata’s Metro will once again be a matter of pride. For Kolkatans, this will not just be progress, it will be personal. It will make journeys smoother, celebrations easier, and hearts closer. As Maa Durga arrives, Pujo will finally be celebrated without the shadow of traffic. The Metro will carry people to pandal-hopping in North and South Kolkata, to prayers at Kalighat and Dakshineswar, and to their loved ones with ease and with joy.
A Bond That Began in 1984
Kolkata and the Metro share a bond that began decades ago. In 1984, when India’s first Metro ran in this very city, it was not just a transport system, it was a moment of pride. Generations grew up with that pride, watching the Metro become part of their everyday stories. But as the city expanded, the dream of a wider, faster network often felt incomplete. Roads got busier, traffic grew worse, and especially during Durga Puja, one phrase was on everyone’s lips: “uff… jam!”
A Festive Gift for Kolkata
This Pujo, that story will change before Maa Durga arrives, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will give Kolkata a festive gift of 13.62 km of new Metro connectivity, including three important stretches:
• Green Line (Esplanade–Sealdah)
• Yellow Line (Noapara–Jai Hind Bimanbandar)
• Orange Line (Hemanta Mukhopadhyay–Beleghata)
For the City of Joy, this will not only be about trains and tracks, it will be about people and emotions. Families will reunite sooner, friends will meet more often and pandal-hopping will become easy and stress-free. Devotion will flow freely without being trapped in traffic.
Making Lives Easy
The Green Line (Esplanade–Sealdah) will bring Bengal’s two lifelines closer than ever. What once took up to an hour by road will now take just 11 minutes. For over six lakh daily passengers, this will set a new rhythm to life.
The Yellow Line (Noapara–Jai Hind Bimanbandar) will fulfill a long-cherished dream of Kolkatans—a direct Metro to the airport. The journey from Esplanade to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, which earlier took an hour by road, will now take only 30 minutes. Families will welcome loved ones on time, travellers will find Kolkata warmer and closer and thousands of airport workers will travel with ease and dignity.
The Orange Line (Hemanta Mukhopadhyay–Beleghata) will connect areas like Science City and major hospitals near Beleghata. Patients will find relief, families will find comfort, and students will find new opportunities. Soon, the IT hub at Salt Lake Sector V will also be linked, giving young professionals faster and more reliable journeys.
Enhanced Connectivity
The expanded network of Kolkata Metro is knitting the city together like never before. By linking peripheral areas like Noapara in the north and Beleghata in the east to central hubs like Esplanade, Park Street and Sealdah, the Metro has allowed lakhs of residents to access different regions more conveniently. It is turning long commutes into easy rides, creating new possibilities for work, study, and leisure.
Reduced Traffic Congestion
Kolkata has long battled serious road congestion due to limited urban infrastructure, heavy rainfall, and a rising number of vehicles. With the Metro providing a fast and reliable alternative, the city’s dependence on road travel is reducing. This is not just easing traffic jams in areas like Sealdah Flyover, EM Bypass, and Airport Road, but also cutting pollution and stress for everyday commuters.
Boosting Economic Growth
The Metro has become a driver of Kolkata’s economy. It has created jobs, encouraged local businesses around stations like Dum Dum, Gariahat, Park Street, and Esplanade, and attracted industries to well-connected areas. With more passengers, more shops, and more opportunities, the Metro is stimulating the local economy and fueling the city’s growth story.
Time Efficiency
In today’s fast-paced life, time is everything. The Metro is helping Kolkatans save precious hours every day. For instance, the journey between Esplanade and Howrah Maidan, which takes around 20 minutes by road, will now be covered in just 5 minutes by Metro. Faster travel means more time for families, studies, work, and celebrations.
Seamless Integration with Other Modes
The Kolkata Metro is not just a standalone system, it is a lifeline that connects with others. At key interchange stations like Dum Dum, Sealdah, and Howrah, it links seamlessly with Kolkata Suburban Railways and other transport systems. This multi-layered connectivity is ensuring smooth travel across the city and beyond.
A Decade of Unmatched Progress
Kolkata was India’s first Metro city. Yet from 1984 to 2014, only 27.99 km of Metro was built in three decades. In the last 10 years under Prime Minister Modi, 45 km has been added—more than the previous 30 years combined. From being the first Metro city to now becoming the fastest expanding network, Kolkata’s Metro will once again be a matter of pride. For Kolkatans, this will not just be progress, it will be personal. It will make journeys smoother, celebrations easier, and hearts closer. As Maa Durga arrives, Pujo will finally be celebrated without the shadow of traffic. The Metro will carry people to pandal-hopping in North and South Kolkata, to prayers at Kalighat and Dakshineswar, and to their loved ones with ease and with joy.
Kolkata’s Moment
This is Kolkata’s moment. A city that gave India its first Metro will now celebrate the fastest progress in its history. A journey of pride, a journey of progress, and above all, a journey of connecting hearts.
