Despite the fears of service disruptions, Kolkata Metro has emerged triumphant from the trial by fire during the Puja days. Metro authorities have reported that over the six days from Panchami to Dashami, the Blue, Green, Yellow, and Purple lines of Kolkata Metro collectively transported a staggering 4.656 million passengers.
Among the 49 operational stations across these four lines, Kalighat has been crowned the busiest, setting a new benchmark in higher passenger traffic. During the festive period, this station alone facilitated the movement of 406,000 passengers. Trailing closely behind are Dum Dum and Shobhabazar-Sutanuti, accommodating 395,000 and 288,000 passengers respectively.
Since mechanical failures have happened at least once a week for the last few days, Kolkata Metro's reputation has been tarnished. These annoying interruptions have left commuters vulnerable, whether they are on the Green Line or the Blue Line. There have been weeks when the metro has experienced at least three separate mechanical failures. Therefore, it is understandable that metro staff members in every department were concerned about the level of service during the Puja days.
Nonetheless, Kolkata's "lifeline" has triumphantly survived this ordeal, skillfully handling the surge of more than 40.6 million passengers from Panchami to Dashami. In addition to breaking the previous record for the number of passengers, 2025 also set a new standard for single-day ridership, surpassing 2024.
On September 27, this year, Kolkata Metro ferried 982,000 passengers. The previous record stood at 960,000 passengers on October 9, 2024. This long-standing record has now been consigned to the annals of history. The metro authorities have attributed this remarkable feat to the seamless coordination between all departments and the tireless efforts of every metro employee.
