KOLKATA: In a move that will benefit thousands, including students and office-goers, Metro Railway, Kolkata, will be running trains from 6 a.m. instead of 6.50 am. The start time of the last train has also been extended from 9.44 p.m. to 10.30 pm, for the benefit of those who work till late and those wishing to avail Metro services after attending shows or events.

 

These services will be available in the most patronised Blue and Green Lines only from July 27, 2026, between Monday and Saturday. "While this will mean an extra burden on the Metro's finances, there has been a demand to extend the timings, both in the mornings and evenings. A lot of planning has gone into these decisions, and we have taken all stakeholders into confidence. We just hope there is sufficient patronage," a senior Metro Railway official said.

 

The timings are being extended on an experimental basis, and the decision may get withdrawn if there isn't sufficient patronage, the official maintained.

 

While the Blue Line - the country's first metro link - runs between Garia in south Kolkata to Dakshineswar in the northern fringes of the city, the Green Line connects Howrah Maidan in the west to Salt Lake Sector - V, considered as the IT hub of eastern India.

 

The number of services per day (Monday-Friday) will also be increased from 260 to 272 in the Blue Line. There will be 258 services instead of 246 on Saturdays. On Sundays, there will be 158 services, instead of the existing 152.

 

In the Green Line, there will be 236 services instead of 228 between Monday and Friday. On Saturday, 212 services will be run instead of the existing 204. The number of services on Sundays will go up to 111 from 108. On Sundays, services will be available from 9 am to 10.30 pm on both lines.

 

With the Metro taking this step, the state government will also have to improve connectivity from the stations to locations nearby. Security outside the stations will also have to be enhanced, particularly for women taking the last trains, as some would be reaching their destinations after 11.30 p.m.

 

The Metro took the step to extend the timings of the last train after a request from the Calcutta High Court (based on petitions) a few years ago. However, there was little patronage as people said that there was no connectivity from the stations to their homes. Women also flagged security concerns. People believe that the situation will improve now with the BJP government coming to power in the state, as it is making efforts to improve infrastructure in Kolkata and the districts.

 

Extension of Metro services to locations like Barasat and Barrackpore is also on the anvil.