The West Bengal Civil Service (WBCS) examinations, Kolkata Metro has announced a significant augmentation of its services on August 18. On this crucial day, the metro will operate an additional eight trains on the Dakshineswar-New Garia corridor, aimed at facilitating seamless travel for examinees.
Typically, on Sundays, the Kolkata Metro operates 130 trains. However, on August 18, this figure will see a considerable increase, with 69 pairs of trains scheduled to run on both up and down lines. These services will commence from 7 AM, with trains departing from Dumdum in the north and New Garia in the south. To accommodate the surge in passenger numbers due to the WBCS examinations, the first train from Dakshineswar to Kavi Subhas will leave at 7:15 AM, a notable departure from the usual 9 AM schedule. During the peak hours between 7 AM and 9 AM, the metro will run eight additional services (four up and four down) at half-hour intervals, ensuring that candidates have ample travel options.
This enhancement reflects Kolkata Metro’s commitment to supporting large-scale public events and examinations. In a related development, Kolkata Metro Railway announced that it would operate as usual on August 17, despite a nationwide strike called by the SUCI (C) party. The metro’s operations across its various corridors—including Dakshineswar-New Garia, Joka-Majerhat, Howrah Maidan-Esplanade, Sealdah-Sector Five, and New Garia-Ruby More—will continue uninterrupted from 6 AM to 6 PM. This decision underscores the metro’s dedication to maintaining service continuity and minimising commuter inconvenience during politically sensitive times.
This strategic boost in train services is expected to alleviate congestion and provide a smoother travel experience for those participating in the WBCS examinations, thereby reflecting the metro’s proactive approach to public service and operational efficiency.
