Kolkata Missing Metro Link — Kolkata’s commuters continue to reel under daily delays and congestion as the 2.6-kilometre Sealdah to Esplanade stretch of the East-West Metro remains unopened, over three months after receiving the mandatory safety clearance. The delay, largely unexplained by authorities, has triggered frustration among thousands who depend on the corridor to travel across the city.
Despite technical readiness and clearance from the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) on April 28, no official launch date has been announced, leaving a critical gap in the city’s expanding metro network.
Kolkata Missing Metro Link: The Metro That Couldn’t Open
The East-West Metro corridor, managed by Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation (KMRC), is one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in eastern India. Spanning from Sector V in Salt Lake to Howrah Maidan, the line connects the city’s IT hub to the railway heartland — and includes India’s first underwater metro tunnel beneath the Hooghly River.
While two segments of the line are operational — Sector V to Sealdah and Howrah Maidan to Esplanade — the crucial Sealdah–Esplanade link has been the missing puzzle piece. It prevents seamless East-West travel and splits the metro into two disconnected arms.
According to KMRC and multiple transport reports, once the full corridor opens, travel from Salt Lake to Howrah will take under 30 minutes — a journey that currently takes more than double that time via road.
CRS Green Light, But Political Silence
After much delay caused by ground subsidence in Bowbazar and the technical complexities of tunnelling under congested areas, the CRS finally granted safety clearance in late April 2025.
However, since then, the project has remained in limbo. KMRC engineers and contractors have confirmed that all systems are operational. Internal test runs have been successful. Yet, authorities — both at the central and state levels — have remained silent about an inauguration.
The lack of transparency has fueled speculation that bureaucratic bottlenecks or political delays are responsible for the continued inaction.
Voices from the Ground: Riders Lose Patience
Frustration is mounting on the ground. With no metro connectivity, commuters are forced to rely on congested roads, delayed buses, and overloaded auto-rickshaws to travel between Sealdah and Esplanade.
“It’s just 2.6 km. A metro could’ve taken us in 3 minutes. Instead, I spend nearly 45 minutes in traffic,” said Somak Dutta, a daily commuter from Salt Lake working near Esplanade.
Singer and composer Shruti Pathak, who uses the Green Line regularly, took to social media with a daily protest series demanding immediate opening of the stretch. Her posts — titled “Day 1 Without Sealdah–Esplanade Metro”, “Day 12 of Waiting”, and so on — have gone viral in Bengal’s digital circles.
“This is not just about saving time; it’s about respect for taxpayers and the public,” she wrote in one of her recent updates.
Bowbazar: From Engineering Challenge to Human Crisis
The Bowbazar locality, nestled between Sealdah and Esplanade, became a flashpoint during tunnel boring operations. Unstable soil and fragile heritage buildings led to multiple instances of ground subsidence, resulting in property damage and forced evacuations.
Though repairs and compensation have been underway since 2019, many displaced families have not yet returned home, and local businesses continue to suffer.
“Metro work turned our neighbourhood upside down. And now that it’s done, we still see no benefit,” said Nihar Ghosh, a watch shop owner near BB Ganguly Street.
Operational Impact: What the Delay Is Costing Kolkata
Transport analysts note that the incomplete corridor is significantly reducing the efficiency and ridership potential of the East-West Metro line. According to projected data from the Railway Board and urban transport journals:
- Full corridor ridership could cross 7 lakh daily after the missing link opens.
- Without the connection, current ridership stagnates around 40,000–50,000 in each disconnected segment.
- Commercial establishments, office workers, students, and tourists are all affected by the inefficiency.
The delay is also pushing more people onto already strained roadways. Traffic congestion between Sealdah and Esplanade has worsened, particularly during office hours and monsoon evenings.
No Metro, No Relief: Crumbling Roads Add to Misery
The alternative to the missing metro link — road travel — is far from ideal. The route between Sealdah and Esplanade is infamous for broken pavements, potholes, and waterlogging. According to a recent Times of India report, auto mechanics in central Kolkata are witnessing a sharp rise in vehicle damage cases, attributed to deteriorating road conditions worsened by the monsoon.
“Shock absorbers, wheel rims, engine guards — we’ve seen it all,” said a mechanic from Janbazar.
This has led many to ask: Why must the public suffer on both fronts — unfinished public transport and decaying road infrastructure?
The Wait Continues: Where Are the Officials?
While central authorities have cited “procedural formalities,” no clear reason has been given for the prolonged delay after CRS clearance. State government sources suggest that the Prime Minister’s Office might be expected to inaugurate the completed corridor — but no schedule has been released.
KMRC has repeatedly said that they are ready and waiting for an inauguration nod.
“All systems are go. Stations, tracks, signaling, power supply, and tunnel integrity have passed tests. The only thing pending is the flag-off,” a senior KMRC official confirmed.
Public Demands Mount: Hashtags and Petitions
Citizens’ groups and metro user associations have taken their concerns to social media. Hashtags like #OpenGreenLineNow, #MetroReadyWhyNotRunning, and #SealdahToEsplanade are trending in Kolkata-based Twitter and Instagram circles.
An online petition on Change.org titled “Launch the Missing Link of East-West Metro” has garnered over 15,000 signatures within a week.
Urban Planners Weigh In: Lost Momentum
Urban development experts warn that prolonged project delays erode public confidence in large-scale infrastructure.
“This is a classic case where technical completion has not translated into operational benefits. The cost to public morale is high,” said Dr. Supratik Roy, transport planner and faculty at IIEST Shibpur.
Others worry that the delay sets a precedent for future urban infrastructure projects — where delays after completion become normalized.
What Lies Ahead: Steps Before Opening
While safety clearance is in place, several administrative and ceremonial steps are required before metro services can begin:
- Final dry runs with full crew and safety personnel
- Final green signal from the Railway Board and concerned ministries
- Coordination between KMRC and Metro Railway Kolkata for operational handover
- Public information campaigns and updated fare charts
As per Kolkata Metro’s official site, all operational updates and launch news will be posted once officially confirmed.
Conclusion: A City Waits for Its Metro
Kolkata’s East-West Metro has been a tale of engineering triumph — from underwater tunnelling to navigating heritage zones. But the Sealdah–Esplanade delay has turned a civic victory into a public grievance.
With every day of inaction, the burden on Kolkata’s commuters grows heavier. What was once a 2.6 km technical challenge is now a 2.6 km symbol of bureaucratic stagnation. Riders continue to wait — for dignity, connectivity, and the metro they were promised.
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