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With over 11 million inhabitants, Kolkata (the former Calcutta) is one of the biggest cities in Asia. It lies in the state of West Bengal, in the east of India.

In 1971, a Master Plan was designed which included 5 rapid transit lines, of which the the north-south route was considered the most important one. Construction (mainly cut-and-cover) began in 1973 and the first section opened for public service in 1984 between Esplanade - Bhowanipur (3.4 km). This was the first subway line in India. The Kolkata Metro Railway reached its current length of 16.5 km in 1995. Along the route there are 17 stations (15 underground, 1 elevated and 1 on surface). Stations have 160 m long platforms designed for 8-car-trains. Power supply is via third rail at 750 V dc. Travelling time from Dum Dum to Tollygunge is 33 minutes.

Apart from the metro line, there is a 68 km tram network.

24/Oct/1984 - Esplanade - Bhowanipur (3.4 km)
12/Nov/1984 - 26/Oct/1992 Dum Dum - Belgachhia (2.15 km)
29/Apr/1986 - Bhowanipur - Tollygunge (4.25 km)
13/Aug/1994 - Dum Dum - Shyambazar (3.8 km)
2/Oct/1994 Esplanade - Chandni Chowk (0.7 km)
19/Feb/1995 Shyambazar - Girish Park (1.9 km) and Chandni Chowk - Central (0.6 km)
27/Sept/1995 - Central - Girish Park (1.8 km)

 Projects

An elevated extension from Tollygunge to New Garia (8.5 km) is under construction (mid-2008), a northern extension from Dum Dum to Barrackpur is now undergoing preliminary survey studies.

Another mass-transit line is being built from an existing single-rail line. This circular rail line is being implemented by the Calcutta Metro. It will be an exclusively mass-transit electrified corridor.

10 minutes headway in peak hours (8:30-12, 16:30-19:30), 15 -20 minutes during the rest of the day, 20 minutes on Sundays. Operating 7:00-21:20 (Sundays 14:35-21:20).

- FARES and TICKETS

Automatic fare collection with magnetic tickets, fare according to km travelled - 3 fare zones:

1-5 km - 4 Rs.
5-10 km - 6 Rs.
10+ km - 8 Rs.

There are special discounts for 12 rides (for the price of 11) and 48 rides (for the price of 40) tickets. Also 2 rides tickets and multiperson tickets are available (no discount).

Metro Railway Kolkata (Official Site)

Calcutta Tramways

Sridhar Narayanan's Kolkata Railway Map