Kolkata Metro Durga Puja 2025: The Kolkata Metro Railway, India’s oldest and one of its busiest urban transit systems, is gearing up to play a pivotal role during the upcoming Durga Puja 2025. In a landmark announcement, Metro authorities confirmed that the Blue Line (North-South corridor) will operate throughout the night on key Puja days, while the Green Line (East-West corridor) will see its services extended beyond midnight.
This decision comes as a relief for lakhs of commuters and pandal-hoppers who depend on the Metro to navigate the city during its busiest cultural celebration. Durga Puja, recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (unesco.org), attracts millions of people to Kolkata’s streets, creating a unique challenge for public transport each year.
Blue Line: All-Night Operations Amid Challenges
The Blue Line, running from Dakshineswar in the north to New Garia in the south, is the city’s primary Metro artery. Despite recent disruptions caused by the closure of Kavi Subhash (New Garia) terminal due to structural issues, Metro officials have confirmed that night-long services will be arranged during Saptami, Ashtami, Navami, and Dashami.
This announcement is significant because earlier this year, Kolkata Metro had suspended experimental late-night services due to maintenance and safety concerns. To overcome these hurdles, authorities are reviving the Tollygunge carshed to stable rakes overnight, enabling them to reintroduce non-stop night services during Puja.
The Blue Line’s night-long run is expected to drastically ease crowding, allowing safe and convenient travel for those visiting pandals across north and south Kolkata.
Green Line: Extending Kolkata’s Newest Corridor
The Green Line (East-West corridor), connecting Salt Lake Sector V to Howrah Maidan, has quickly become the backbone of east-west connectivity. Since its full commissioning in 2024, ridership has soared, with daily passenger numbers touching new highs.
This year, for the first time, Metro officials confirmed that Green Line services will operate past midnight during Puja, allowing revellers to travel between Salt Lake, Esplanade, and Howrah even after late-night festivities.
Currently, trains on the Green Line stop around midnight. The extension will ensure that late-night travellers, particularly students and families, can move safely and efficiently across the city.
Meeting Festival Demand: Why This Matters
Durga Puja in Kolkata is unlike any other festival in the world. According to government estimates, over 40,000 community pujas are organised across the city and suburbs every year, attracting over 3 million daily visitors during peak days. Streets remain congested until the early hours of the morning as people move from one pandal to another.
Traditionally, the Kolkata Metro plays a lifeline role during Puja:
- On Saptami, Ashtami, and Navami, services often run until 4 AM, carrying lakhs of passengers.
- Ridership during Puja can jump by 50–60% compared to normal days.
- Families, students, and senior citizens prefer the Metro as it is safer, faster, and more reliable than braving road traffic.
Extending Metro hours ensures that the spirit of Durga Puja is matched by an equally vibrant transport system.
Infrastructure and Operational Adjustments
Running all-night services requires massive behind-the-scenes coordination. For 2025, Kolkata Metro has outlined several measures:
- Tollygunge Carshed Revival
With Kavi Subhash terminal closed, the Tollygunge yard is being reactivated to inject additional trains into service. This ensures that night-long runs are not hampered by operational bottlenecks. - Deployment of Extra Rakes
Eight additional rakes will be readied for festival operations, reducing the waiting time for commuters even during late hours. - Staff Mobilisation
Special duty rosters are being prepared for motormen, station staff, and security personnel to handle the unusual overnight schedules. - Coordination with Police and Civic Bodies
Kolkata Police and civic authorities are expected to work closely with Metro officials to manage passenger flow and maintain safety. - Emergency Readiness
Medical aid booths, extra surveillance cameras, and quick response teams will be positioned at major stations such as Esplanade, Kalighat, Shyambazar, and Dum Dum.
Passenger Perspective: Relief for Pandal-Hoppers
For commuters, this move is nothing short of a blessing. Many puja enthusiasts begin pandal-hopping late at night to avoid daytime crowds. In previous years, when Metro services stopped by midnight, people were forced to rely on overcrowded buses, taxis, and app-based rides at exorbitant prices.
This year, uninterrupted services mean:
- Safer travel for women and families during late-night hours.
- Reduced road congestion as thousands shift from cars and buses to Metro.
- Affordable options, as Metro fares remain fixed while taxi rates usually surge during Puja nights.
Historical Precedent: Metro During Puja
Running extended services during Puja is not new. Since the 1980s, the Metro has aligned itself with festival schedules. In fact, the Durga Puja rush was one of the key reasons why Metro officials decided to expand operating hours in the first place.
Over the decades, the Metro has:
- Operated over 250 services daily during Puja in recent years.
- Introduced paper tickets, extra counters, and smart card recharge booths to handle demand.
- Provided night-long services on Blue Line since the early 2000s.
The 2025 plan continues this tradition but with expanded capacity across multiple lines, reflecting the growth of Kolkata’s Metro network.
Kolkata Metro Durga Puja 2025: Cultural Significance
Durga Puja is not only a festival—it is Kolkata’s identity. UNESCO’s recognition has made it a global cultural event, attracting foreign tourists, NRIs, and documentary filmmakers each year. The Metro, by aligning its services with the festival rhythm, becomes more than just transport—it becomes part of the celebration.
At midnight, as revellers pour into the streets around College Street, Maddox Square, or Salt Lake, the sight of packed Metro trains reflects how the city’s heartbeat synchronises with the festival.
Looking Ahead: Future of Metro Expansion
Kolkata Metro is currently expanding across multiple corridors, including the Purple Line (Joka–Esplanade) and the Orange Line (New Garia–Airport). Officials hope that in coming years, all Metro corridors will provide extended Puja services, making travel seamless across the entire city.
The Ministry of Railways has already announced plans to add more rakes and modern signalling systems. This could allow 3–4 minute frequency services even during midnight operations in the future.
Conclusion
The decision to run night-long Metro services on the Blue Line and extend Green Line operations beyond midnight is a transformative step for Kolkata’s Durga Puja 2025. It ensures safe, affordable, and convenient travel for millions while keeping alive a long tradition of Metro’s special Puja schedules.
For Kolkata, where the Puja is not just a festival but a way of life, this move symbolizes how modern infrastructure and cultural heritage can work hand in hand. The Metro, much like the Goddess Durga’s arrival each year, will be there for the people—day and night.
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