The Kolkata Metro's route was just 3.5 km long when it began operations on October 24, 1984. Within 41 years, in November 2025, the Kolkata Metro will have expanded to 72 km. And in the next year, by December 2026, the lifeline length of the city will increase by at least 19 km to 91 km. However, the progress of the metro rail in Kolkata will not stop there. In the next few years, the metro line will expand to 130 km, said Subhranshu Mishra, general manager of the company.
In terms of expansion, Delhi Metro remains far ahead with a network of around 352 kilometres, while Kolkata holds the second position. Yet, the city that pioneered India’s first Metro service continues to make steady progress, although at a slower pace.
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The recent integration of the Green and Yellow Lines has significantly boosted the number of daily commuters. Regarding the upcoming expansion, Shubhrangshu Mishra stated, “In 2025, Kolkata Metro expanded by 13 kilometres. By December 2026, another 19 kilometres will be added, solely to the Orange Line.”
Work has already begun on tunnelling for the Purple Line (Joka–BBD Bagh route) between Khidderpore and Park Street, which will add another 10 kilometres once completed. Passenger services are already running between Noapara and the Airport on the Yellow Line, and extension work toward Barasat has also started. Kolkata Metro officials confirmed that the Railway Board has approved 57 kilometres of new routes, with construction underway on 29 kilometres of them.
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However, daily commuters know that route expansion alone cannot solve all issues. In recent months, not a single week has passed without some technical disruption in service. Additionally, severe overcrowding on the Blue Line continues to trouble passengers. Many commuters feel Metro authorities must address these issues alongside expansion.
A section of Officials, on the other hand, believe that once the Purple Line extends at least up to Park Street, congestion on the Blue Line will ease considerably. Currently, more than half of the passengers boarding from Tollygunge come from the Behala area.
