The commercial services along three newly inaugurated stretches of the Kolkata Metro are set to commence from Friday (March 15) onwards. According to a statement issued by the Metro Rail, after the inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 6, Kolkata’s new Underwater Metro will open to the public later this week.
The newly inaugurated stretches of Kolkata Metro include the much-awaited Howrah Maidan to Esplanade section of the Green Line, the Kavi Subhash to Hemanta Mukhopadhyay stretch of the Orange Line, and the Taratala to Majerhat section of the Purple Line.
Howrah Maidan to Esplanade section
This section marks a significant milestone for the Kolkata Metro as it ventures underwater beneath the River Hooghly. According to CPRO Metro Rail Kaushik Mitra, a total of 130 services will be operational daily from Monday to Saturday along this route.
Trains will run at 12-15 minute intervals in both directions, alternating between Howrah Maidan and Esplanade stations. Service hours will span from 7 am to 9.45 pm, with a fare set at Rs 10 per trip.
Kavi Subhash to Hemanta Mukhopadhyay stretch
Meanwhile, the Kavi Subhash to Hemanta Mukhopadhyay stretch along EM Bypass will offer 48 daily services from Monday to Friday, operating at 20-minute intervals between 9 am and 4.40 pm.
Joka to Majerhat section
In the Joka to Majerhat section, commuters can expect 36 services daily from Monday to Friday, running at 25-minute intervals from 8.30 am to 3.35 pm.