Kolkata Metro ridership jumped by one lakh in a single day, marking one of the most significant surges in recent years, as the city’s expanding metro network opened new links across its busiest corridors. Metro Railway officials confirmed that the Green Line, also known as the East-West Metro, recorded a staggering rise of 80,000 additional passengers following the opening of the 16.6-km stretch between Sector V and Howrah Maidan.
On the first Monday after the new stretch became operational, ridership on this line alone touched 1.9 lakh, up from 1.1 lakh the previous week when the line was split into two disjointed sections. The surge translated into a sharp revenue increase. Daily earnings doubled to ₹38.8 lakh from ₹17.3 lakh within days of the expansion, reflecting both higher commuter volumes and longer trip lengths. Officials noted that the average fare per passenger also rose from ₹15.5 to ₹20.8, a sign of commuters travelling across extended distances now seamlessly connected by the metro. The Blue Line, Kolkata’s oldest and busiest corridor that has been running for over four decades, also registered gains. Passenger numbers climbed from 5.7 lakh to 5.8 lakh in a week, pushing weekly revenue beyond the ₹1 crore mark for the first time. The average earnings per passenger edged up to ₹17.2 from ₹15.8, reaffirming the financial strength of the corridor. Officials anticipate a further boost during the pre-Puja and Puja season, when festive travel patterns traditionally lift public transport ridership.
The Yellow Line, linking Noapara to the airport, added 7,000 daily commuters, while the Orange Line along EM Bypass contributed 2,500, taking the city’s overall metro ridership to around 8 lakh. This positions Kolkata Metro as one of the fastest-growing rapid transit systems in the country in terms of passenger adoption. Urban transport experts highlight that this growth reflects not just infrastructure expansion but also a behavioural shift among commuters towards sustainable public transport. With road congestion worsening and private vehicle ownership straining city air quality, the Metro offers a faster, cleaner, and more carbon-efficient alternative. The sharp rise in demand underscores the need for accelerated completion of pending metro corridors, which could push daily ridership towards the projected 9.5 lakh mark sooner than anticipated.
Officials have also indicated that the Blue Line ridership could once again touch its pre-pandemic highs of 6.5 lakh per day as integration with the Green and Yellow Lines improves connectivity. The seamless interchange at Esplanade and Noapara is already encouraging more commuters to switch from road to rail. While short-term passenger volumes may ease slightly post-Puja, officials remain confident of a steady upward trajectory. For Kolkata, the expansion of its metro network is more than just a transport upgrade—it represents a move towards building a sustainable and equitable city where public transport takes centre stage in everyday mobility.
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