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The East-West Metro of Kolkata, also known as the Green Line, was expected to carry around 7 lakh passengers daily in 2025, according to earlier projections. However, the actual number is just over 2 lakh passengers per day on average, much lower than expected. Metro officials are now conducting a
study to find out why ridership has not reached the target.
Green Line's Daily Passengers
A 2016 report estimated that the Green Line would handle 8.08 lakh daily passengers by 2025, with the full stretch ready by 2018, which was revised to 7 Lakh. But even after the complete 16.6 km stretch between Sector V and Howrah Maidan became operational on August 23 this year, the passenger numbers remain low.
Kolkata's Orange Line Metro
Metro General Manager Subhransu Sekhar Mishra admitted that the low turnout is concerning and said a study has been ordered to understand the reasons. He added that once the Orange Line, New Garia-Airport route connects to Sector V, ridership is expected to increase.
Operation of the Green Line
Officials say that before the full link opened, the Green Line operated in two parts, Sector V to Sealdah and Howrah Maidan to Esplanade, with only about one lakh passengers in total. The missing stretch between Sealdah and Esplanade caused long delays due to repeated soil subsidence in Bowbazar. The line finally became continuous in August 2025.
Doubled Ridership
Despite faster travel, less than half the time it takes by road between Howrah and Salt Lake, commuter response has been below expectations. Some stations like Phoolbagan and Howrah have seen ridership double since August, but overall figures are still low. Experts suggest increasing Metro service hours, starting earlier and ending later, to attract more commuters. Authorities also hope that once the Orange Line reaches Sector V by 2026, passenger numbers on the Green Line will rise significantly.
