For decades, Kolkata’s aging public transport system has struggled under the weight of its own commuters. From the crowded buses of Howrah to the slow crawl of traffic in Garia, the city’s residents have long awaited a solution. The hope now lies in Kolkata Metro Phase 2, a long-promised expansion aimed at redefining how the city moves.
With major work underway on the Joka–Esplanade corridor, New Garia–Ruby stretch, and the Airport–New Town–Salt Lake lines, expectations are high. These new routes, many of which cut through Kolkata’s fastest-growing zones, are set to add over 60 km of track to the existing network.
A Game-Changer for Commuters
According to Metro Railway Kolkata, nearly 8 lakh people currently use the metro daily. The Phase 2 expansion, once fully operational, could boost daily ridership to over 15 lakh, officials estimate.
“It’s not just about speed. It’s about dignity in travel,” says Anirban Ghosh, a schoolteacher from Tollygunge who spends nearly 2 hours commuting each day. “If the Joka line opens by this year, my entire routine will change.”
The expansion will also decongest major traffic zones like EM Bypass, Behala, and Rajarhat, where road construction, office hubs, and rapid residential development have overwhelmed surface transport options.
Challenges Along the Track
Despite the excitement, delays continue to plague the project. Land acquisition hurdles in areas like Mominpur and Baranagar have pushed back deadlines. Frequent complaints of slow-paced civil work and budget bottlenecks also persist.
Moreover, accessibility and integration remain concerns. Experts argue that unless the new metro lines seamlessly connect with bus depots, suburban railway stations, and app-based cab zones, the project’s impact will remain limited.
“Integration is the missing piece,” urban transport analyst Dr. Sumitra Roy explains. “You can’t have a world-class metro without last-mile connectivity.”
Public Sentiment: Hopeful but Watchful
Kolkata residents are cautiously optimistic. Social media is already buzzing with images of trial runs, while YouTube vloggers capture the latest updates from under-construction stations like Ruby, Salt Lake Sector V, and Baranagar Bazar.
˝Local business owners, particularly in New Town and Joka, hope the metro will revive footfall that dipped during the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns.
The Road (or Rail) Ahead
If completed on schedule, parts of Phase 2 will open to the public by late 2025, with full functionality expected by mid-2026. For a city that gave India its first metro in 1984, the next chapter is long overdue.
As trains begin test runs and stations near completion, Kolkata’s dreams of smoother, faster, and safer commutes may finally leave the station.
