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The opening of new routes and the merging of sections in the Kolkata Metro have transformed the entire daily travel scenario for Kolkata residents. The sudden increase in ridership has also led to several operational challenges for the Metro authorities, and these issues are becoming more serious as the grand
Durga Puja is near.
Kolkata Metro to Face Increased Ridership
According to Metro officials, a record number of 6.96 lakh passengers used the services on Friday alone. Out of this, 5.25 lakh passengers traveled on the Blue Line, which runs north to south between Dakshineswar and Sahid Khudiram stations. Another 1.66 lakh passengers used the Green Line, which connects Howrah Maidan to Salt Lake Sector V. The full operation of the Green Line has made it easier for people to move smoothly between Howrah and Salt Lake. However, the rise in daily travelers has also revealed the system's current limitations, as trains, platforms, and station facilities are struggling to handle the crowd, especially since more people are expected to rely on the Metro in the coming days. Moreover, the newly expanded Metro network is expected to be one of the main modes of transport for residents moving between pandals and from the suburbs into the city during Durga Puja.
How is Kolkata Metro Planning to Handle Overcrowding?
In August, Prime Minister Modi inaugurated key sections of Kolkata Metro, including the final 2.6 km Esplanade-Sealdah stretch on the Green Line, creating a seamless 16.6 km link between Howrah and Sector V. This integration sharply boosted daily ridership, from 6.5 lakh to a record 8.07 lakh on September 1, leading to increased traffic in the older Blue Line, especially at interchange hubs like Esplanade. On the other hand, Kavi Subhash station Maintenance closures, technical glitches, and increased footfall caused overcrowding and delays. Metro officials are implementing operational changes, including limited services and digital ticketing incentives of 5% to stabilize services and handle surging demand during the festive season.
