Kolkata is set to witness a major metro expansion this week, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled to inaugurate three new metro routes on August 22. The new stretches — part of the Yellow Line, Orange Line, and Green Line — will significantly boost connectivity between the city and its suburbs, including direct access to the airport.
With these expansions, Kolkata joins the league of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Lucknow, cities that now have metro links to their airports.
Fares for the New Metro Routes
Fares have been structured slab-wise, beginning at just Rs 5. According to reports, the airport connections will cost:
Airport → Jessore Road: Rs5
Airport → Dumdum Cantonment: Rs10
Airport → Noapara: Rs30
Airport → Chandni Chowk: Rs40
Airport → Kabi Subhash (New Garia): Rs45
Airport → Ruby Station: Rs65
Airport → Howrah: Rs50
Airport → Sector 5/Karunamoyee: Rs70
3 New Routes to be Inaugurated
The new sections include:
Green Line: Sealdah – Esplanade stretch
Orange Line: Hemanta Mukhopadhyay (Ruby Crossing) – Beleghata stretch
Yellow Line: Noapara – Jai Hind Bimanbandar Airport stretch
Notably, the Jai Hind Airport Metro Station will be the largest underground metro station in Asia, featuring five platforms.
Yellow Line Clears Safety Check
Ahead of the launch, Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) Sumeet Singhal inspected the Yellow Line, a mandatory step for all new railway projects.
Record Rail Investments in West Bengal
According to the Railway Ministry, West Bengal has received a record Rs83,765 crore for railway development, including Rs13,955 crore in this year’s Union Budget.
Additionally, 101 stations are being upgraded into world-class hubs, and nine Vande Bharat trains along with two Amrit Bharat trains are already operating in the state.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has formally invited West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to the inauguration at Jessore Road Metro Station. However, reports suggest she may skip the event