Kolkata: Since its inauguration on March 15, the East-West Metro’s Howrah Maidan-Esplanade section has swiftly become a vital transport lifeline, catering to approximately 29 lakh passengers within just 3.5 months, as reported by Metro Railway in a recent statement.
The figures underscore the pivotal role of the new Metro line, particularly its interchange point at Esplanade, in enhancing commuter convenience across Kolkata’s sprawling urban landscape. The Metro spokesperson highlighted the significant relief the system has provided to passengers, especially amidst the sweltering summer heat. Of the total ridership, around 13 lakh passengers concluded their journeys at Esplanade, utilizing the seamless connectivity offered by the interchanging facility. Notably, 17 lakh passengers embarked from Howrah Metro station, with an additional 11 lakh initiating their travels from the terminal Howrah Maidan Metro station to various stations along the Blue line.
The statement further elucidated on the distribution of passengers across different lines: approximately 2 lakh passengers opted for journeys to Dum Dum, while 1.5 lakh travelled to Kalighat via the Green line during the same period. Moreover, a substantial number of commuters, around 1 lakh, availed the East-West Metro to reach the North-South corridor’s terminal at Kavi Subhas station in New Garia from stations such as Howrah Maidan, Howrah, and Mahakaran. Other notable destinations included Dakshineswar, Park Street, and Rabindra Sadan, with 55,000, 78,000, and 1.3 lakh passengers respectively making use of the Green line services.
The successful integration of the East-West Metro into Kolkata’s existing transport infrastructure underscores its role in easing urban mobility challenges and fostering connectivity across key city nodes. As the Metro continues to expand its reach and services, these usage statistics provide a robust indicator of its growing importance in Kolkata’s public transport ecosystem.
