Kolkata Metro Extends Services for Durga Puja with Night-Long Blue Line, Late Green Line Runs

Speedy Summary

• kolkata Metro will operate night-long services on the Blue Line (North-South corridor) during Saptami, Ashtami, and navami of Durga Puja.
• The Green Line (East-West corridor) services will be extended beyond midnight until at least 2 am during the festive days.
• The Metro Railway typically operates extended hours during Durga Puja but was halted in Covid years. Last year, fragmented Green line sections ran till midnight/1:45 am respectively.
• Regular day operations currently run from 6:50 am to 9:30 pm.
• recent disruptions like overcrowding due to new Yellow Line and East-West extensions, along with Kavi Subhash terminal station closure since July 28, are affecting schedules for normal operations.
• Officials affirmed schedules would remain unchanged for festive services despite concerns regarding potential overcrowding.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The Kolkata Metro’s initiative to provide night-long operations on key Durga Puja days reflects an acknowledgment of the festival’s cultural significance and practical needs amidst rising commuter demand. Such extended hours cater especially to attendees visiting late-night pandals across the city while showcasing adaptability in public infrastructure planning despite ongoing challenges like overcrowding and disrupted terminal functioning.

However, these extensions raise operational questions about how additional staffing and emergency services will support such surges effectively without compromising commuter safety or experience. As the first major holiday season coinciding with full-service connectivity of corridors like East-West Green Line from Sector V to Howrah Maidan, it marks a pivotal test for kolkata’s metro system capability under high-demand conditions. Neutral execution prioritizing efficiency will remain crucial.

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