Kolkata Metro Route & Map
The Kolkata metro is considered a rapid transit system whose main purpose is to serve the city of Kolkata, which is the capital of West Bengal, India. At present, Kolkata metro has 48 active stations. The Kolkata metro is known to be the first planned operational rapid transit system in India. This metro was planned to be constructed in the 1920s, and the construction started in the 1970s. This is known as the only metro in the country that is wholly funded and owned by the Ministry of Railways, and it will be controlled by the Indian Railways.
The Kolkata metro network has a mix of elevated stations, underground stations, and at–grade stations. This metro currently 4 operational lines: Line 1, which starts from Noapara to Kavi Subhash; Line 2, which begins from Salt Lake Sector – 5 to Salt Lake Stadium; Line 3, from Joka to Majerhat; and Line 6, from Kavi Subhash to Hemanta Mukherjee.
In Kolkata metro, two lines are still in the construction phase and are being planned. The metro trains operate at 05:45 AM in the morning, and the last is 21:55 PM at night. As we know, Kolkata is famous for its reasonable and cheap prices of products and food items. The metro fare prices are also meager; it starts from Rs. 5 and the last price goes up to Rs. 30. This metro has also introduced a single type of general smart card in the year 2013.
Not only this, two types of tourist smart cards are also introduced, which are named tourist smart cards – 1 and tourist smart cards – 2. The smart card recharge facility was introduced by the Kolkata metro on 01st July 2020.
Depending on the crowd, the train stops for 10 to 20 seconds at each station. There are no full coach reservations for women available, but there are certain sections of seats in each compartment that are reserved for women, physically challenged passengers, and senior citizens. During Durga Puja, the train runs for a long night. Overall, the Kolkata metro is the best and most comfortable mode of transportation for the people.
| Operator | Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation (KMRC) |
| Operation start | 24 October 1984 |
| Number of lines | 6 Metro Lines |
| Train length | 4/6/8 Coaches |
| No. of stations | 48 Active Stations |
| Metro timings | ⏱ Starting | Ending 06:45 AM | 10:45 PM |
Kolkata Metro Lines & Terminal Stations 2024
| Metro lines | Terminal stations | |
|---|---|---|
| ▣ | Blue Line | Dakshineswar ⇄ Kavi Subhash |
| ▣ | Green Line | Salt Lake Sector V ⇄ Howrah Maidan |
| ▣ | Purple Line | Joka ⇄ Majerhat |
| ▣ | Yellow Line | ⇄ |
| ▣ | Pink Line | ⇄ |
| ▣ | Orange Line | Hemanta Mukhopadhyay ⇄ Kavi Subhash |
Kolkata Metro Fare Chart 2024
The fare is based on the pre-determined distance-slabs. Kolkata Metro has the lowest starting fare in the country of Rs. 5. The following is the revised zones and fare for single journey tokens and Smart Cards.
| Zone | Distance (km) | Line 1 Fare | Line 2 Fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | 0 - 2 | Rs. 5 | Rs. 5 |
| II | 2 - 5 | Rs. 10 | Rs. 10 |
| III | 5 - 10 | Rs. 15 | Rs. 20 |
| IV | 10 - 20 | Rs. 20 | Rs. 30 |
| V | 20 - 30 | Rs. 25 | - |
On using Smart Cards for Kolkata Metro rides, you get extra ride value, as following slab:
| Recharge Value | Ride Value |
|---|---|
| Rs. 100 | Rs. 110 |
| Rs. 200 | Rs. 220 |
| Rs. 300 | Rs. 330 |
| Rs. 500 | Rs. 550 |
| Rs. 1000 | Rs. 1100 |
Please note:
- Two new types of Tourist Smart Cards are available Tourist Smart Card – I and Tourist Smart Card – II. This type of smart card is for tourists and have unlimited rides.
- Tourist Cards cost ₹250, valid for a day, and ₹550, valid for three days. A security deposit of ₹60 is also charged.
- Refundable security deposit of Rs. 100 paybale at the time of purchase.
- count Rs 10/- per/hour up to maximum of Rs 50/-
- Maximum 3 children of height upto 90cm and below can travel free (Not applicable for group booking) if accompanied by an adult, Children above 90cm full fare will be charged.
Interesting Facts about Kolkata Metro
- The Kolkata Metro is a rapid transit system serving Kolkata in the Indian state of West Bengal.
- The Kolkata Metro is the first planned and operational rapid transit system in India.
- It was initially planned in the 1920s, but construction started in 1970s.
- 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.
- The first elevated stretch, from Bhawanipore (now Netaji Bhawan) to Esplanade, opened on 24 October 1984.
- The first metro was driven by Tapan Kumar Nath and Sanjoy Sil.
- It is the only metro in the country, completely owned and funded by the Ministry of Railways, and to be controlled by Indian Railways.
- The metro network has a mix of underground stations, at-grade stations and elevated stations.
- Currently two lines are operational, Line 1 from Noapara to Kavi Subhash and Line 2 from Salt Lake Sector-V to Salt Lake Stadium. 4 Lines are under construction and planned.
- Kolkata Metro trains operate between 05:45 AM (first train) and 21:55 PM (last train).
- Kolkata Metro has the lowest starting fare in the country starts from Rs. 5 to Rs. 30.
- In 2013 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). Online smart card recharge facility was launched on 1 July 2020.
- Trains operate at an average speed of 55–60 km/h (34.18–37.28 mph) and stop for about 10 to 20 seconds at each station, depending on the crowd.
- No full coach is reserved for women, but certain sections of seats in each compartment are reserved for women, senior citizens and the physically challenged.
- The metro railway runs special night-long services during Durga Puja (Mahasaptami to Mahanavami), services start at 13:00 and operate till 04:00 the next day.
The recommendation for the creation of the metro line in Kolkata in the year 1919 of the imperial legislative council at Shimla sets a committee for the metro line construction.
In the year 1921 it was proposed for the east-west tube railway in Kolkata by Harley Dairymple-Hay but in the year 1923 the proposal was not undertaken because of not having sufficient funds.
After this the Chief Minister of West Bengal Mr. Bidhan Chandra Roy conceived an idea for the construction of underground metro for Kolkata in the year 1949-1950. The Chief Minister of Kolkata found an alternative solution which was known as the metropolitan transport project (MTP) which was set up in the year 1969.
On 29th December 1972, India’s first foundation stone of the metro project was laid by the Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi. The construction work for the Kolkata metro started in December in 1973-1974.
On 24th October 1984, the first metro started, which covered a 3.40 km distance from Esplanade to Bhawanipur station. In February 1995, the Kolkata metro initially planned and completed an operation.
After the success of this metro, all the Kolkata metro extension projects were started one by one. In the year 2011-12, the railway ministry announced plans for the building of five new metro lines and the extension of the existing north-south corridor, which are:
- Salt Lake to Howrah Maidan (Line 2) or east-west metro corridor.
- Joka to B.B.D Bagh (Line 3, later truncated till esplanade).
- Noapara to Barasat (Line 4) via Airport.
- Baranagar to Barrackpore (Line 5)
- New Garia to Dum Dum Airport (Line 6)
Kolkata metro history (key dates)
- 24 Oct 1984: Esplanade to Netaji Bhawan (line 1) – 3.40 km
- 12 November 1984: Dumdum to Belgachia (Line 1) – 2.15 km
- 29 April 1986: Netaji Bhawan to Tollygunge (line 1) – 4.24 km
- 13th August 1994: Belgachia to Shyambazar (line 1) – 1.63 km
- 02 October 1994: Esplanade to Chandni Chowk (line 1) – 0.71 km
- 19th February 1995: Shyam Bazaar to Girish Park (line 1) – 1.92 km
- 19th February 1995: Chandni Chowk to Central (line 1) – 0.60 km
- 27th September 1995: Central to Girish Park (line 1) – 1.80 km
- 22nd August 2009: Tollygunge to Garia Bazar (line 1) – 5.85 km
- 07 October 2010: Garia Bazar to New Garia (line 1) – 3.00 km
- 10 July 2013: Dum Dum to Noapara (line 1) – 2.09 km
- 13th February 2020: Sector 5 – Salt Lake Stadium (line 2) – 5.3 km
- 05th October 2020: Salt Lake Stadium to Phoolbagan (line 2) – 1.7 km
- 21st February 2021: Noapara to Dakshineswar (line 1) – 4.11 km
- 14th July 2022: Phoolbagan to Sealdah (line 2) – 2.1 km
- 30 December 2022: Joka to Taratala (line 3) – 6.5 km
- 6 March 2024: Howrah Maidan to Esplanade (line 2) – 3.9 km
- 6 March 2024: Taratala to Majerhat (line 3) – 1.25 km
- 06th March 2024: Kavi Subhash to Hemanta Mukhopadhyay (line 60 – 5.68 km
Kolkata Metro News & Updates 2024
Kolkata Metro FAQs
𝒜. Things such as offensive articles, wet skin, dead poultry, hides, and gore are not allowed in Kolkata metro.
𝒜. The Kolkata metro only allows you to carry small items such as tiffin baskets, small handbags, umbrellas, or walking sticks if required.
𝒜. Photography in the Kolkata metro is totally prohibited because metro railways are a staunch supporter of discipline.