Kolkata Metro has initiated plans to construct a new underground subway at Esplanade, its busiest interchange, in a bid to ease the growing strain of passenger traffic caused by the convergence of multiple metro corridors. Officials said consultants will be appointed to assess feasibility and design of the proposed expansion, as the Blue Line’s 41-year-old station struggles to accommodate rising footfall.
Passenger movement at Esplanade has increased sharply after the full commissioning of the East-West Metro, or the Green Line, linking the city’s two busiest railway terminals, Howrah and Sealdah. Authorities now expect a further spike once the Purple Line, connecting Joka to Esplanade, is operational, making the hub a three-line interchange. Transport experts emphasise that the infrastructure at Esplanade was not originally designed to manage such a high volume of travellers. The station’s existing concourses and platforms are already overcrowded during peak hours, despite the addition of 22 more services on the Blue Line and the reduction of headway to five minutes. The situation has raised pressing concerns over passenger safety and efficient crowd dispersal.
Metro officials confirmed that an additional subway could be carved alongside the existing link between the Blue and Green lines. This new passage would allow seamless interchange, faster platform access, and improved passenger dispersal. The move is part of a broader strategy to reconfigure Esplanade into a sustainable, high-capacity hub capable of serving millions in the coming decades. The authorities are also working on smaller but crucial upgrades. Plans are underway to install additional automatic ticket-vending machines to compensate for space constraints that prevent more ticket counters. Meanwhile, around 60 security personnel from the Railway Protection Force have been deployed to handle surging passenger loads and ensure smoother movement across platforms.
Kolkata’s metro expansion reflects a shift towards greener and more sustainable urban mobility. Experts note that strengthening interchanges like Esplanade not only improves commuter comfort but also encourages greater reliance on public transport, reducing carbon emissions and dependence on private vehicles. As the city evolves into a multi-corridor metro network, the Esplanade project has become symbolic of the challenges and opportunities in reshaping Indian urban transport systems. The subway plan, though at a conceptual stage, is seen as a crucial step in making Kolkata’s metro infrastructure resilient, equitable, and future-ready.
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