Kolkata Metro To Operate Special Services During Durga Puja Festivities

In anticipation of the massive crowds flocking to Durga Puja pandals, the Kolkata Metro Railway has unveiled a comprehensive schedule of special services along four key corridors to ensure seamless connectivity during the festival. Starting from Panchami on September 27, these enhanced operations aim to accommodate the surge in devotees and revelers, particularly in the evenings when cultural programs and idol viewings peak.

The initiative reflects the metro's role as a lifeline for Kolkata's residents and visitors, alleviating road congestion in a city where Puja celebrations draw millions and generate economic activity worth billions annually. Special night-long services will operate on Saptami, Ashtami, and Navami (September 29 to October 1) along the Blue Line (Dakshineswar to Salt Lake Sector V) and Green Line (Howrah Maidan to Salt Lake Sector V), extending until early morning to support late-night festivities.

The Blue Line will see intensified frequencies to handle peak-hour rushes. On Panchami, 262 services (131 up and down each) will run from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., with intervals of six to seven minutes during busy periods. Sasthi (September 28) follows with 246 services (123 up and down) from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., maintaining similar peak-hour spacing.

For the core Puja days—Saptami, Ashtami, and Navami—services extend from 1 p.m. to 4 a.m. the next day, totaling 246 trips (123 up and down), ensuring safe returns for night owls. On Dashami (October 2), a scaled-back 132 services (66 up and down) operate from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. at eight-minute intervals. These adjustments cater to the Blue Line's vital north-south artery, linking iconic sites like Esplanade and Rabindra Sadan, hubs for Puja events.

Complementing this, the Green Line will bolster its east-west spine with tailored enhancements. Panchami features 225 services (114 up and 111 down) from 7:30 a.m. to 11:16 p.m. at six-minute peak frequencies, while Sasthi offers 184 services (92 up and down) from 9 a.m. to 11:28 p.m. with eight-minute gaps.

Night services on Saptami, Ashtami, and Navami comprise 192 trips (97 up and 95 down) from 1:30 p.m. to 4:18 a.m., also at eight-minute intervals. Dashami wraps with 74 services (37 up and down) from 1:30 p.m. to 10:32 p.m. every 15 minutes. This corridor's extension to Howrah Maidan facilitates access to riverfront pandals, a Puja highlight blending tradition with modern transit.

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The Yellow Line (Noapara-Baranagar to Jai Hind Bimanbandar) and Purple Line (Joka to Majerhat) will provide supplementary coverage with afternoon-evening boosts. Yellow Line runs 60 services (30 up and down) on Panchami and Sasthi from 3 p.m. to 10:35 p.m. every 15 minutes, increasing to 62 (31 up and down) on the trio of Saptami to Navami until 10:50 p.m., and 50 (25 up and down) on Dashami to 9:20 p.m.

Purple Line maintains 38 daily services (19 up and down) from 3 p.m. to 10:55 p.m. at 25-minute intervals throughout. Notably, the Orange Line will suspend operations from September 27 to October 2 due to ongoing trials, redirecting passengers to alternatives. Metro authorities urge commuters to use the Moovit app for real-time updates and prioritize safety amid the joyous chaos of Bengal's grandest festival.

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