In response to financial constraints and operational considerations, Kolkata Metro Railway has decided to advance the last services on its North-South line from 11 pm to 10.40 pm, effective from Monday onwards. This adjustment, aimed at optimizing resources, will see the late-night trains departing from New Garia and Dum Dum stations 20 minutes earlier than usual.
Previously, there was an 80-minute gap between the last and second last services; this will now be reduced to a one-hour interval. Notably, Metro Railway has discontinued ticket counter services during these late hours, requiring passengers to purchase tokens exclusively from automated smartcard recharge machines using UPI mode for transactions. Commuters with smartcards will continue to swipe in as usual.
The decision follows a directive from the High Court urging Metro Railway to extend its operational hours by an additional 45 minutes past the previous closure time of 9.40 pm. Consequently, since May 24, special services have been introduced on weekdays between New Garia and Dum Dum, supplementing the regular 288 North-South runs conducted from 6.50 am to 9.40 pm. However, these extended services are experimental and do not encompass stations at Noapara, Baranagar, Dakshineswar, or other corridors. In a recent statement, Metro Railway officials cited financial implications, revealing that each late-night service incurred approximately Rs 2.7 lakh in running costs and an additional Rs 50,000 in related expenditures. Despite catering to an average of 300 passengers per train nightly, earnings only amounted to Rs 6,000 daily.
The adjustment has garnered mixed reactions from commuters. A vocal advocate for extended Metro timings expressed disappointment, highlighting concerns over the one-hour gap between services and accessibility issues with vending machines. Advocates like Mittal have continued to push for enhanced public awareness and operational transparency, recently escalating their campaign by submitting suggestions to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), which have since been forwarded to Metro Railway. As Metro Railway Kolkata navigates these operational adjustments, stakeholders remain vigilant for further developments amidst ongoing efforts to balance service accessibility with fiscal sustainability.
