The highly awaited Howrah Maidan to Salt Lake metro route is scheduled to start operations by December 15, 2024. Initially slated for an earlier launch, the project was postponed due to the grand-scale Durga Puja festivities in Kolkata. The festive period led to logistical challenges, resulting in a shift in the timeline for the metro’s inauguration.
Key Details of the Howrah to Salt Lake Metro Route (Phase II)
As part of the East-West Metro Corridor, this route plays a crucial role in connecting some of Kolkata’s busiest hubs. Phase II, covering 7.2 km, primarily consists of an underground stretch, making travel faster and more efficient across the river.
Important Route Features:
- Total Distance: 16.6 km
- Underground Corridor: 10.8 km
- Elevated Corridor: 5.8 km
- Key Stations in Phase II: Howrah Maidan, Howrah Station, Mahakaran, Esplanade, Sealdah
- Stations in Phase I: Phoolbagan, Bengal Chemical, Salt Lake Stadium, City Centre, Karunamoyee, Sector V
This route will reduce travel time to under 30 minutes between Howrah Maidan and Salt Lake Sector V, improving accessibility for daily commuters, especially those traveling to the tech hub in Salt Lake.
The Reason for the Delay
The metro was initially projected to launch in October 2024. However, with the Durga Puja season being one of Kolkata’s largest public events, the sheer volume of people, coupled with security and safety protocols, necessitated the postponement of trial runs and operational tests. Thus, the authorities decided to finalize the launch post-Puja.
Metro Line Highlights: Underground and Elevated Sections
The new Howrah Maidan to Salt Lake metro line is a combination of underground and elevated tracks. The Phase II section is primarily underground (7.2 km) and will pass beneath the Hooghly River, connecting Howrah Station with other key points like Esplanade and Sealdah. Meanwhile, Phase I, covering 9.4 km, features both underground and elevated corridors, with six elevated stations in Salt Lake.
According to the reference map:
- Underground Stations (Phase II): Howrah Maidan, Howrah Station, Mahakaran, Esplanade
- Elevated Stations (Phase I): Central Park, City Centre, Karunamoyee, Sector V
This blend of underground and elevated corridors allows the metro to cover densely populated areas as well as commercial hubs, promising to be a game-changer for Kolkata’s public transport.
Impact on Commuters and Local Businesses
The new route will make it easier for daily commuters to switch between long-distance travel and local metro routes, especially since it connects both Howrah Station and Sealdah Station. With its launch in mid-December, people traveling from Howrah Maidan to the heart of Salt Lake’s IT hub will experience reduced travel times and lower dependency on road traffic, significantly alleviating congestion.
Furthermore, improved connectivity is expected to benefit local businesses around the metro stations by increasing foot traffic and making transportation more convenient for professionals commuting between the city’s business districts.
What Comes Next?
The Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation (KMRC) is currently in the final stages of preparation, with trial runs for Phase II expected to be completed by November. Infrastructure upgrades, including the installation of safety features, ticketing systems, and escalators, are progressing steadily.
The launch of the Howrah Maidan to Salt Lake metro route is poised to be one of the most significant milestones in Kolkata’s transportation history. Despite the delay due to Durga Puja, the new start date of December 15, 2024, is set, and the city eagerly awaits the opening of this crucial metro line.
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