Kolkata Metro: Route, Map, Timings, Fare, and Updates

Kolkata metro is the oldest operational metro network in India. Conceptualised in the 1920s, it is a rapid transit system serving the city since 1984. As of February 2021, this metro had two operational lines: Dakshineshwar to Kavi Subhash and Salt Lake Sector 5 to Phool Bagan. A mix of elevated, underground, and at-grade metro stations, it operates on both broad-gauge and standard-gauge tracks.

Although the Kolkata metro system has existed for decades, its expansion has been slow. The second line only became operational in 2021. At present, four lines are in various phases of construction.

It is jointly owned and operated by the Metro Railway, Kolkata, and Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation (KMRC). Interestingly, the Metro Railway, Kolkata, has been declared the 17th zone of Indian Railways. In this way, it has become the only metro system in India controlled by the Indian Railways.

Quick Facts About Kolkata Metro

Following are the quick facts about the metro:-

Also Read: Kolkata Metro Line 6

Kolkata Metro Route Map

Here is the official route map of its Lines

Kolkata Metro Route Map

Kolkata Metro Fare, Ticketing, & Smart Card

The metro charges are levied in accordance with the distance travelled. As two lines are operational at present, the following charges are applicable for commuters.

For the East-West corridor, the following charges are applicable

In addition to the single Journey token, commuters can also use a smart card, which saves time compared to the token, and commuters also get some additional balance on smart card recharges.

Also Read: Kolkata Metro Line 2

Token and Smart Card Rules

Token

• A token is valid for a single journey.

• The token is valid for the day of purchase and requires the passenger to enter the paid area within 45 minutes of the purchase time. It becomes invalid if the passenger fails to enter the area within 45 minutes.

• In case the passenger loses the token, it shall not be replaced.

• The token is captured at the exit gate upon journey completion.

• If a passenger fails to deposit the token at the exit gate, a penalty of Rs. 250 is charged.

Smart Card

• A first-time user can purchase the smart card at Rs.100/200/300/500 or 1000. It is inclusive of the Security Deposit amount of Rs. 60.

• Users can recharge their smart card for Rs.100/200/300/500 or 1000. The smart card can have a maximum balance of Rs.5000.

• A passenger must have a minimum balance of Rs. 25 to enter through a gate.

• The smart card is locked if a passenger fails to tap it at the exit gate or makes a wrong exit. The booking counter at the Kolkata Metro station then deducts a maximum fee of Rs 25 from the card when it is presented on the next visit. After which, the card is unlocked.

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Kolkata Metro Card Online Recharge

Good news for Kolkata metro commuters! Now, you can recharge your metro card online. All you need to do is go to the Metro Railway Kolkata website at https://mtp.indianrailways.gov.in/ and click Online Recharge. Now, you must enter your Kolkata smart card number, enter the amount and click on Pay. At the final stage, select your preferred payment mode- debit or credit card, Net banking, Paytm, Gpay, etc. Once the payment is made, your card will be ready to use.

Recharge metro smart card online

If you are an SBI user, you can recharge your card using the SBI YONO mobile app and SBI net banking portal.

Kolkata Metro UPI-Based Ticketing Payment System 

Kolkata metro officials announced on June 29, 2024 that UPI based ticketing payment system will be launched across all booking counters of the Blue line or Line 1. The implementation of this facility across the Dakshsineswar - New Garia line will enhance the passenger experience and increase convenience for them.

The system is already in place in the blue line across the Automatic Smart Card Recharge machines (ASCRM). The UPI-based ticketing payment system is also available across all booking counters of Green Line 1 station, i.e. Howrah Maidan-Esplanade and Green Line 2, i.e. Sealdah-Sector Five.

Benefits of UPI-based Ticketing payment system

• Ease of recharging smart card at the Automatic Smart Card Recharge machine

• Ease of buying tickets

• Hassle-free Metro journey

Kolkata Metro has facilitated the UPI-based system with support from the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) and the State Bank of India (SBI).

How to Use UPI-Based Ticketing System

Here are the simple steps for using the UPI-based ticketing system

• Enter the name of the destination station at the ASCRM or confirm it to the person at the counter.

• Scan the QR code displayed on the screen to make the payment using UPI mode.

• If you're buying tickets then QR code tickets will be generated and if you are recharging the metro card the machine will ask for the card to be scanned before payment.

Kolkata Metro QR Code-Based Ticketing

Kolkata Metro Authority has launched QR-code based ticketing system to encourage faster travel for commuters. The system was implemented to be used from 28th Feb 2025. As per the officials, with this new QR code based ticketing system in place, commuters will be able to book seven QR code paper tickets in a single transaction.

Earlier, they were able to buy only one ticket in one go. The system update enhances the overall user experience, streamlining the ticketing purchase process. The new QR code based ticketing system has been implemented on all operational Kolkata Metro Lines, including Blue Line, Green Line, and Orange Line, except from the Purple Line running from Joka to Majerhat.

How to Book Kolkata Metro QR-Code Tickets

The Kolkata Metro Mobile App makes it super easy to book tickets using QR codes. All you have to do is select the type of ticket you want, choose your departure and arrival metro stations, and then make your payment with your favorite payment method. Once that's all set, you'll see your QR tickets pop up right on the app's screen!

Kolkata Metro Timings

Kolkata Metro services start at 7:00 AM and run until 22:30 PM in the evening. The state government had tweaked the metro timings during the Covid-19 pandemic. A train stops for 10-20 seconds at each station; hence, there might be a slight variation in the timings of the first train arrival each morning.

Routes and Metro Stations

• Operational Lines
• Under-construction Lines

There are currently two fully operational lines and four under-construction lines.

Operational Metro Lines

Two Metro Lines viz Blue Line or Line 1 from Dakshineshwar to Kavi Subhash and Green Line 2 from Salt Lake Sector 5 to Phool Bagan are operational.

Blue Line 1 from Dakshineswar to Kavi Subhash

Popularly known as the North-South Metro Line, Line 1 is the first operational line of Kolkata Metro. Covering a total distance of over 31 Km, the Blue Line is spread over three districts of West Bengal viz North 24 Parganas, Kolkata and South 24 Pargana districts in West Bengal. This line connects the Dakshineshwar area with the Kavi Subhash metro station, known as New Garia Metro Station. Out of the station Blue Line covers, 15 are underground, 9 are elevated, and 2 are at-grade.

The Blue Line of Kolkata passes through the following stations.

Green Line 2 from Salt Lake Sector 5 to Phool Bagan

Kolkata Metro Green Line has two operational stretches. One from Howrah Maidan to Esplanade and the other one from Salt Lake Sector V to Sealdah. The final stretch connecting these two stretches is expected to become operational on 22nd August 2025. The stretch ranges between Esplanade and Sealdah. It is a 2.6 Km long stretch and will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Once the final stretch of the metro line is completed and opened for the public, the entire Green Line of Kolkata Metro will become operational. The full length of the Kolkata Metro Green Line is 23.1 Km.

Purple Line 1 from Joka to Taratala

The purple line began its commercial operations on 02nd January 2023. The operations started on the Joka to Taratala stretch of the Joka - Esplanade Metro. The purple line witnessed a footfall of more than 5,000.

The six stations covered in the 6.5 KM stretch include Joka, Thakurpukur, Sakherbazar, Behala Chowrasta, Behala Bazar and Taratala. About 12 daily services are currently planned on the Purple line; among these 12 planned runs - six runs up and six down return. The present timings for these planned runs are 10 am, 11 am, 12 pm, 3 pm, 4 pm, and 5 pm from Joka. Returning times from Taratala are 10:30 a.m., 11:30 am, 12:30 pm, 3:30 pm, 4:30 pm, and 5:30 pm.

Under-construction Metro Lines

Alongside the already operational Green Line and Blue Line, there are several other lines currently in various stages of development. Once they’re up and running, the network is set to connect all parts of Kolkata city. Here’s a quick summary of the lines that are under construction:

Kolkata Metro Extension: Purple Line 3 from Joka to Majerhat

Line 3, or the Purple Line, is an under-construction metro line. Once completed, the Purple Line will connect Joka in the South and Esplanade in the North. Once the construction is complete, Line 1 will be connected to Park Street. The Green Line metro will run parallel to Esplanade and connect Line 2 there.

The following stations will be covered under Purple Line 3.

1. Joka to Majerhat (Under-construction)
2. Esplanade (North) to Majerhat (After Phase 1)
3. Joka to Diamond Park (South) (After Phase 2)

Kolkata Metro Extension: Yellow Line 4 from Noapara to Barasat (North 24 Parganas)

Rail Vikas Nigam Limited is executing the Line 4 extension. Once fully constructed, the yellow line will connect the Noapara with the Barasat area in the North 24 Pargana district of West Bengal. It will be a partially underground and partially elevated stretch. Yellow Line 4 will provide an interchange station at NSCBI Airport and connect to Metro Line 6 (Currently under construction).

Yellow Line 4 will have a total of 10 metro stations viz-

Noapara is already a working station on Line 1 from the stations mentioned above. Once completed, the total length of the Yellow Line 4 will be over 18 Km. The Noapara to Jai Hind (airport) of Kolkata Metro Yellow Line is expected to become operational on 22nd August 2025. It is a 7 Km long metro corridor. This is the first phase of the Kolkata Metro Yellow Line. The second phase includes the section from the Jai Hind (airport) to Michael Nagar. The metro corridor is under construction.

Kolkata Metro Extension: Pink Line 5 from Baranagar to Barackpore

Pink Line 5 is a planned metro corridor. Its construction has not yet started. This line is planned to provide smoother connectivity from North Kolkata to mainland Kolkata.

Pink Line 5 (Image Source: Wikipedia)

Kolkata's Pink Line 5 will include 11 stations. Baranagar station, which is already operational on Blue Line 1, is one of them.

All of the metro stations mentioned above for Pink Line 5 are planned except Baranagar, an operational station of Line 1. The state government has also proposed realigning the route along the Kalyani Expressway.

Kolkata Metro Extension: Orange Line 6 from Kavi Subhash Metro Station to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport (NSCBIA)

Became partially operational on 15th March 2024, Kolkata Metro Orange Line connects the famous locations of New Garia with the International Airport of Kolkata (Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport). Once becomes fully operational, the Orange Line will pass through two satellite towns, Salt Lake and New Town.

Kolkata Metro Line 6 is expected to connect the Kavi Subash Metro Station (New Garia Metro Station) to Salt Lake Sector 5 by the end of 2025.

Orange Line 6 of Kolkata Metro (Image Source: Wikipedia)

Orange Line 6 extension will consist of 24 metro stations, namely,

Kolkata Metro Orange Line Phase 1 (Kavi Subhash to Hemanta Mukhopadhyay) Stretch

The Orange Line stretch from Kavi Subhash (New Garia) - Hemanta Mukhopadhyay (Ruby) became operational on 15th March 2024. The metro stations on the route are-

• Kavi Subhash (New Garia)
• Satyajit Ray (Hiland Park Area)
• Jyotirindra Nandi
• Kavi Sukanta (Abhishikta Crossing Area)
• Hemanta Mukhopadhyay (Ruby)

The fare structure for this new route ranges from Rs 20 as the minimum fare to Rs 45 as the maximum fare.

Kolkata Metro Orange Line Phase 2

The second phase of the Kolkata Metro Orange Line ranges between Hemanta Mukhopadhyay (Ruby) to Beleghata (Metropolitan). It is a 4.5 km-long metro corridor. The metro stretch is expected to become operational on 22nd August 2025 by PM Modi. The extension of phase 2 has been planned to connect Metropolitan to Salt Lake Sector V.

Timeline of Kolkata Metro

The following is the timeline of Koklata Metro:-

Tourist Attractions Near Kolkata Metro Stations

Metro Ride Kolkata | Kolkata Metro Mobile Application

Metro Ride Kolkata is a Kolkata Metro mobile application which is operated and managed by the Centre for Railway Information Systems. It helps commuters access Kolkata Metro ticketing services with great ease. They can simply download this mobile application from their preferred app store and book Kolkata Metro tickets without any hassle.

The mobile application helps users book QR code tickets and recharge their metro cards. Both the options are available on the application homepage. The application offers easy navigation feature that makes it more convenient for users to find options to avail of the required services.

Metro Ride Kolkata mobile app also provides access to ticket history and card top up history details. By accessing these services, users can keep track of their Kolkata Metro trips.

To book a QR ticket using the mobile application, first, users need to register and login to the mobile application. Once done, they can easily book their metro tickets by providing the departure and arrival metro stations and paying for the ticket using their preferred payment mode.

How to Book QR Code Tickets Using Kolkata Metro Mobile App

Find below a few simple steps you can follow to book QR code tickets using the Kolkata Metro mobile application.

Step 1: Download the Kolkata Metro mobile app, named Metro Ride Kolkata from your preferred app store and open it.

Step 2: Click on the Book QR Ticket option available on the homepage of the application.

Step 3: On the next window, select the ticket type, originating station, and the destination station. You will get the fare information right up on the screen.

Step 4: Click on the Book Ticket button. It will take you to the next window for making the payment.

Step 5: Pay the ticket price using your preferred payment method, including UPI, credit or debit cards, etc.

Step 6: Once done, you will get your ticket created in the mobile app. Use this ticket to travel in Koltata Metro. You can also view previous tickets and transaction history in the mobile app.

Real Estate Trend After Kolkata Metro

Kolkata's real estate market has developed significantly in the past decade. Many residential developments are being built in areas where the metro station is available or under construction. The expansion of the Kolkata metro has not only resulted in seamless connectivity but also increased property prices, especially for properties within 500 metres of metro stations.

Other Interesting Facts About Kolkata Metro

Let us have a look at a few fascinating facts about the metro:-

• It is the oldest metro in India.

• It has the least expensive fare in the world.

• Ten metro stations are named after famous Bengali personalities.

• The metro conveys more than 5 lakh passengers every day.

• It has the first underwater metro rail tunnel. The cost of this tunnel was around Rs 8,600 crore.