PM Modi Inaugurates New Kolkata Metro Routes Amid Political Tension
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated three new metro routes in Kolkata, including a direct link to the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport. However, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee skipped the event, claiming credit for the projects.
Kolkata MetroPm ModiMamata BanerjeeMetro ExpansionReal EstateReal Estate NewsAug 22, 2025
The new stretches are expected to ease congestion on the city’s clogged roads. The Green Line extension between Sealdah and Esplanade (2.45 km) will link Kolkata’s two busiest railway terminals, Howrah and Sealdah, for the first time. A road journey that typically takes 50 minutes in traffic can now be completed in just 11 minutes underground.
For air travelers, the Yellow Line stretch from Noapara to Jai Hind Bimanbandar (6.77 km) connects the airport directly to the metro grid, ending a four-decade wait. The commute time to the airport, which often exceeds an hour by road, is now expected to go down to around 30 minutes.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee skipped the inauguration. Trinamool Congress leaders said the party took the decision over alleged harassment of Bengali migrants in BJP-ruled states. The party has accused governments in Assam, Odisha, Delhi, Maharashtra, and Gujarat of detaining and profiling Bengali-speaking workers as “illegal Bangladeshis.”
Earlier today, Banerjee said that the newly-inaugurated metro projects by PM Modi were planned and sanctioned during her tenure as railway minister. She took to X and posted, “Allow me to be a little nostalgic today. As the Railways Minister of India, I was fortunate in planning and sanctioning a series of Metro Railway corridors in metropolitan Kolkata. I had drawn the blueprints, arranged the funds, initiated the works, and ensured that the different ends of the city (Joka, Garia, Airport, Sector V, etc) were connected by an intra-city Metro grid. Later, as the Chief Minister of West Bengal, I had the additional privilege of taking part in the execution of the projects.”
Mamata Banerjee held the railway portfolio twice. She was the railways minister first in the NDA government under Atal Bihari Vajpayee (1999-2001). She got the ministry again during the Congress-led UPA-2 from 2009 to 2011.
The inauguration of these new metro routes is expected to significantly boost the real estate sector in Kolkata, making it more attractive for both residential and commercial development. The improved connectivity will likely reduce travel times and enhance the overall quality of life for the city's residents.
Frequently Asked Questions
What new metro routes were inaugurated in Kolkata?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated three new metro routes in Kolkata, including the Green Line extension between Sealdah and Esplanade, the Yellow Line stretch from Noapara to Jai Hind Bimanbandar, and the Orange Line.
Why did Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee skip the inauguration?
Mamata Banerjee skipped the inauguration due to alleged harassment of Bengali migrants in BJP-ruled states. The Trinamool Congress accused governments in Assam, Odisha, Delhi, Maharashtra, and Gujarat of detaining and profiling Bengali-speaking workers as ‘illegal Bangladeshis’.
How will the new metro routes benefit commuters?
The new metro routes will significantly ease congestion on Kolkata’s clogged roads. The Green Line extension reduces a 50-minute road journey to just 11 minutes, while the Yellow Line stretch to the airport reduces travel time from over an hour to around 30 minutes.
What role did Mamata Banerjee play in the planning of these metro projects?
Mamata Banerjee, as the Railways Minister, planned and sanctioned the metro projects during her tenure. She was responsible for drawing the blueprints, arranging funds, and initiating the works, ensuring that different parts of the city were connected by the metro grid.
How will the new metro routes impact the real estate sector in Kolkata?
The new metro routes are expected to boost the real estate sector in Kolkata by making the city more attractive for residential and commercial development. Improved connectivity will likely reduce travel times and enhance the quality of life for residents.
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