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On 22 August 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated three new significant stretches of the Kolkata Metro, marking a major boost for urban mobility:
Green Line (East–West Metro): The final link between Sealdah and Esplanade was inaugurated, completing the entire 16.6 km route from Salt Lake Sector V to Howrah Maidan, which includes India's first major underwater metro tunnel beneath the Hooghly River
Yellow Line: The 6.7 km stretch connecting Noapara to Jai Hind (Airport) station was opened, establishing Kolkata’s first direct metro link to the airport.
Orange Line Phase II: The 4.4 km extension from Hemanta Mukhopadhyay (Ruby Crossing) to Beleghata, serving key landmarks like Science City.
With these additions, the Kolkata Metro network now spans approximately 74 km, with passenger services expanding rapidly.
Faster Travel: The Sealdah–Esplanade underground link reduces travel time from 40–45 minutes by road to less than 10 minutes by metro, significantly improving efficiency.
Airport Access: The Yellow Line makes getting to the airport quicker and more affordable — commuters can reach the airport from Esplanade in under 30 minutes, compared to over 90 minutes via road.Expanded Coverage: With enhanced reach across southern and eastern Kolkata, especially near Science City and Beleghata, many neighborhoods now have improved connectivity.
Additional Services: Up to 186 daily services on the Green Line, and frequent intervals between 8 am and 8 pm on the airport stretch.
Economic and Lifestyle Impact: The expansions are expected to reduce overcrowding on roads, streamline commuting, and boost accessibility across the city.
Surface Transport Concerns: Bus and auto operators serving the Howrah–Sealdah route are facing pressure due to likely revenue decline as commuters switch to the metro.
Displacement Issues: Simultaneously, residents displaced from areas like Bowbazar due to earlier metro tunnelling disruptions remain unsettled, protesting unfulfilled rehabilitation promises.
Political Dynamics: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who previously planned many of these projects during her tenure as Railway Minister, has highlighted her role in metro expansion—yet reportedly chose to skip the inauguration.
