The Calcutta Metro, faithfully serving the city of joy

The Calcutta Metro, faithfully serving the city of joy

Calcutta Metro is the oldest and cheapest
mass-rapid transportation system
in India

If someone asks me "What truly, according to you, represents the true spirit of Calcutta?", I'd have a hard time to answer, but whatever the list includes, it'd most certainly contain Calcutta Metro railway. Founded originally in 1984, decades before others of its kind started in New Delhi and Chennai, the Calcutta metro railway has been faithfully serving the vast metropolis, helping the very workforce of Calcutta get to their destination in time.

Extending currently from Dumdum in the north to Kavi Subhash (New Garia region) in the south, the Calcutta Metro covers a total length of around 26 km. The oldest metro railway developed in India, it enjoys a daily ridership of around 6,00,000. Indeed, it would be hard to imagine what would become of Calcutta without the metro railway service. Not only has it practically bridged up the gap between the northern and southern extremes of the city, but additionally it is one of the most comfortable modes of transportation. 

Being a fairly regular passenger, I indeed find it the most convenient, cheap and easy mode of transportation to nearly any region of the city. Nicely decorated platforms (especially so after the coming of the new Trinamool government), well-maintained services and optimal security makes it the most desirable mode of travelling when you're here in Calcutta. New stations are colourfully, such as 'Netaji', 'Shahid Khudiram', 'Kavi Subhash', 'Mahanayak Uttam Kumar'. 'Masterda Surja Sen' etc. Most of the metro system here is underground, although the majority of the new stations is on raised or elevated platforms. The trains are extremely regular, and maintain excellent timings. Another big improvement is that, more and more of the locomotives are being converted into air-conditioned ones by the Kolkata Metro Railway Development Authority. 

The newly expanded portion of Calcutta Metro in the south resembles, as I have been told, the Delhi Metro. Well, both run above the surface, and on a cloudy day especially, this is an added benefit. You can enjoy glimpses of the decorated skyline of South Calcutta as the locomotive rushes towards Kavi Subhash. Most of the system is still underground though, especially the original portion. 

Kavi Subhash station, the southern terminal
station connecting New Garia region
to mainland Calcutta

Calcutta Metro, besides being the oldest metro railway system in India, is also the cheapest one. And it's not only the cheapest one in India, but really the cheapest one in the whole world. Fares can be as low as Rs. 4 (INR), and the maximum, as yet, is Rs. 14 (from Dum dum to Kavi Subhash and vice versa). New platforms, especially those of the south, are exceptionally well-decorated. Multiple departments, such as the medical department, electrical department, vigilance department etc can be found constituting every platform. Escalators are everywhere, and so are closed-circuit cameras, metal detectors , X-ray baggage scanning system etc. Tight security marks the perimeter of every station. 

A vast multitude of different expansion projects is on the way of being implemented, and it is estimated that the East-West Metro (Line 2, linking Sector V of Salt Lake in the east to Howrah Maidan in the west) will be online from the next year onwards. In addition, four additional lines will be opened to reduce the congestion and problem of traffic jams in the city. However, lack of funding and the unwillingness of the central government of New Delhi has definitely left us Calcuttans thunderstruck. Many of the fundings channels have been cut, and now the authority is facing a severe shortage of financial resource to continue expanding itself. One of the immediate solutions that is to be implemented is the increase in fare. We're proud of our metro, and indeed we'd continue to be so even if the fares are increased by a margin of 50%. In fact, I don't mind paying double, even for current services I'm getting. Many co-passengers might disagree with me, but how can we even expect AC systems to get implemented everywhere when most of us are refusing to pay even Rs. 8-28 for each ride? Indeed, a 100% increase in the fares should be made by the authorities. 

The proposed expansion model
of Calcutta Metro, including
all the six lines. 

Another area of potential increase in funding is advertising. More and more advertising spaces should be made at each station, and some even on the trains themselves. The funding arising from renting those spaces will help the development authority to solve the current financial deficit. 

With an ever-increasing level of computerization visible everywhere, the Calcutta Metro continues to act as one of the major arteries of the city. As Calcutta wakes up from its state of slumber and moves boldly into the future, we believe the Calcutta Metro will keep on turning the city of joy even more joyous for us all, residents and visiting tourists alike, with the steady flow of time. 

Lastly, my salutations and thanking to everyone working in the Calcutta Metro departments. It's because of you all that we continue to live happily and peacefully in the city of joy.