Kolkata, March 27, 2026

 

In a written reply to the question raised by MP Shri Samik Bhattacharya in the Rajya Sabha today, the Minister for Railways, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that availability of connecting lines, first and last mile connectivity options, station locations etc. are many of the factors which determine the ridership on any Metro network.

The Union Minister said, Green Line (East West Metro Corridor) of Kolkata Metro was fully operational only in Aug 2025 after the completion of the Esplanade–Sealdah section. After full commissioning of the line, the ridership on Green line has increased from approximately 78,000 per day to 2.04 lakh per day.

On the questions posed by the MP, like, whether it is a fact that the Green Line is operating significantly below its designed carrying capacity, if so, the percentage of capacity utilization or the corrective measures proposed to enhance ridership and ensure optimal utilisation of infrastructure on the Green Line and the projected daily ridership at the time of Detailed Project Report (DPR) approval and the present average daily ridership, Shri Vaishnaw stated that, The completion of various corridors in Kolkata Metro has been delayed due to issues such as land acquisition, utility shifting and the granting of necessary clearances by the State Government. Once all lines are completed and commissioned, ridership is expected to increase significantly. The details of various corridors of Kolkata Metro are as under:

Kolkata Metro

Kolkata Metro started in 1972. The details of the Metro commissioned since then are as under:

Period  Metro Commissioned

1972 to 2014 (42 years)          28 km

2014 to 2025 (11 years)          45 km

The details of Metro Corridors commissioned are as under:

1                    Kavi Subhash – Noapara (28 Km) (Blue Line)     

This Corridor was commissioned before FY 2013-14 (This required about 42 years to complete)

2          Noapara–Dakshineswar (4.14 Km) (Extension of Blue Line).          This Corridor was commissioned in FY 2020-21

3          Noapara – Jaihind Airport - Barasat (18 Km) (Yellow Line) Noapara – Jaihind Airport section (6.77 Km) was commissioned in FY 2025-26

4          Joka – Majerhat - Esplanade (14 Km) (Purple Line)  Joka – Majerhat section (7.74 Km) was commissioned in stages between FY 2022-23 to 2023-24.

5          New Garia - Belaghata - Dumdum Airport (32 Km) (Orange Line)  New Garia – Belaghata (9.8 Km) was commissioned in stages between FY 2023-24 to 2025-26

6          Howrah Maidan – Salt Lake Sec. V (16.55 Km) (Green Line).         This Corridor was commissioned in stages between FY 2019-20 to 2025-26.

The Railway Minister elaborated that the work pertaining to four Metro corridors at a total length of about 52 km is under progress, out of which 20 km of work is held up due to land acquisition and utility shifting issues pertaining to the State Government. In the rest of the Metro stretch, though the work is in progress yet facing difficulties due to one or other reasons at the end of State Government. Details are as below:

(1)        Noapara – Jaihind Airport - Barasat (18 km): Noapara - Jai Hind Airport (6.77 km) has been commissioned and work from Jai Hind Airport to Michael Nagar is in progress. However, he said, thework from New Barrackpore to Barasat (7.5 km) is held up due to land acquisition and encroachment issues by State authorities.

(2).       New Barrackpore to Barasat   -           Land acquisition (23,000 sq. m) and removal of heavy encroachments (1277 hutments, 764 shops) are involved in this section. The matter is yet to be resolved by the Government of West Bengal (GoWB), pointed out the Minister.

(3)        Joka – Majerhat - Esplanade (14 km): Joka - Majerhat (7.74 km) has been commissioned and balance work from Majerhat to Esplanade (6.26 km) has been taken up. However, the progress of the work is affected due to the following issues:

(4).       Khidderpur Metro Station       -           For utility shifting and road traffic diversion, 837 sqm permanent and 1,702 sqm temporary land of State Government (Kolkata Armed Police) is required. The proposal of this land was sent to State Government on August 24, 2020.

•           Several meetings were held with officials of Government of West Bengal (GoWB) for transfer of above land. After much persuasion, the State Government finally accorded approval in July 2025 only after almost 5 years, the Minister said.

(5).      Dr. B.C. Roy Market   -           For construction of Esplanade Metro Station, temporary shifting of unauthorised 528 shops at B.C. Roy Market on Defence land is required.

•           The proposal for NOC of temporary/permanent shifting of these shops was submitted to the State Government in February 2022. Shops for temporary shifting of these unauthorized shops have also been constructed by the Railway. The State Government, Shri Vaishnaw said, has been requested to facilitate shifting. Regular follow up with State PWD is also being done. The issue has been pending for more than 3.5 years.

(6)        New Garia – Belaghata - Dum Dum Airport (32 km): New Garia - Belaghata (9.8 km) has been commissioned and balance work from Belaghata to Dum Dum Airport (22.2 km) has been taken up. However, progress of the work is affected due to the following issues:

(7).       Chingrighata Crossing (Between Beleghata – Gour Kishore Ghosh stations)           -Temporary traffic diversion at Chingrighata crossing for launching of viaduct segments is required for three nights each on either side of the road (8 hours on every night).

•           The proposal was submitted to the Government of West Bengal (GoWB) in December 2024. The diversion road as desired by Kolkata traffic police has already been constructed in February 2025. Since then, several meetings have been held with various State Government and Kolkata police officials for NOC. The NOC is still awaited even after about 12 months.

(8)        Baranagar - Barrackpore - Dakshineshwar (14.5 km): Baranagar - Dakshineshwar (2 km) has been commissioned and balance work from Baranagar to Barrackpore (12.5 km) is held up due to pending utility shifting in the alignment by state government authorities. The details are as below:

a.   Baranagar to Barrackpore-      The original alignment along the B.T road was agreed in 2011 as per MoU among Metro Railway, RVNL and Kolkata Municipal Corporation. As per MoU, the existing pipeline was to be replaced by a new 64-inch diameter pipeline by the State Government. Shifting of this pipeline was completed in 2012. However, NOC is still awaited from the Government of West Bengal.

Completion of the Railway project/s depends on various factors Stated Shri Vaishnaw, which include the following:

•           Land acquisition by State Government

•           Forest clearance

•           Shifting of infringing utilities

•           Statutory clearances from various authorities

•           Geological and topographical conditions of area

•           Law and order situation in the area of project site

•           Number of working months in a year for a particular project site etc.

 

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SSS/27.3.26…..

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