Kolkata Metro will operate from 6:00 am to 10:30 pm on Blue and Green Lines from July 27, 2026. The extended timings and increased train services aim to benefit students, office-goers, and late-night commuters while improving public transport connectivity.
In a major relief for thousands of daily commuters, Metro Railway, Kolkata, has announced a significant extension of operating hours on its busiest Blue and Green Lines. Beginning July 27, 2026, metro trains will start operating from 6:00 am, nearly an hour earlier than the current schedule of 6:50 am, while the last train will now depart at 10:30 pm, replacing the existing final departure time of 9:44 pm.
The revised schedule, which will initially be implemented on an experimental basis, will remain applicable from Monday to Saturday. Metro Railway officials said the decision was taken after extensive planning and consultations with stakeholders to address the long-standing demand for extended operating hours.
The move is expected to provide significant benefits to students, office-goers, healthcare professionals, and other commuters who begin their day early or work late into the evening. The extended services will also allow residents to use the Metro after attending cultural events, entertainment shows, and other late-night activities across Kolkata.
According to a senior Metro Railway official, the revised timetable will increase operational expenses, but the railway administration considers the decision necessary to improve commuter convenience.
“While this will mean an extra burden on the Metro’s finances, there has been a demand to extend the timings, both in the mornings and evenings. A lot of planning has gone into these decisions, and we have taken all stakeholders into confidence. We just hope there is sufficient patronage,” the official said.
The Metro authorities have clarified that the extended timings are currently being introduced on a trial basis. If passenger numbers do not justify the increased operational costs, the decision may be reviewed or withdrawn in the future.
Along with longer operating hours, the Metro Railway has also announced an increase in the number of daily train services.
On the Blue Line, which connects Garia in south Kolkata to Dakshineswar in the northern part of the city, weekday services will rise from 260 to 272 trains. Saturday services will increase from 246 to 258, while Sunday services will go up from 152 to 158.
Similarly, on the Green Line, connecting Howrah Maidan to Salt Lake Sector V, weekday services will increase from 228 to 236 trains. Saturday operations will rise from 204 to 212 services, while Sunday services will increase from 108 to 111 trains.
On Sundays, Metro services on both lines will operate between 9:00 am and 10:30 pm, ensuring improved weekend connectivity for passengers.
The Blue Line remains India’s first metro corridor and serves as the backbone of Kolkata’s urban transport system, while the Green Line connects the city’s commercial and IT hubs, making it one of the fastest-growing metro corridors in eastern India.
The extension of Metro timings is expected to place additional responsibility on the state government to strengthen last-mile connectivity from Metro stations. Experts believe improved availability of buses, taxis, app-based cab services, and auto-rickshaws will be essential for the success of the extended schedule.
Passenger safety, particularly for women travelling on late-night services, has also emerged as an important concern. Authorities are expected to enhance security arrangements around Metro stations and improve surveillance to ensure safe travel for commuters returning home after 11:00 pm.
The decision to extend Metro operating hours follows earlier recommendations and requests made through petitions before the Calcutta High Court. Although similar initiatives were attempted in the past, inadequate last-mile transport and security concerns limited passenger response.
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Officials and commuters alike believe that the present effort has greater potential for success due to ongoing infrastructure improvements and renewed focus on urban transport development in Kolkata. The Metro expansion projects toward Barasat and Barrackpore are also progressing, promising greater connectivity across the metropolitan region in the coming years.
With earlier departures, later services, and increased train frequency, Kolkata Metro aims to make public transportation more accessible, reliable, and commuter-friendly while supporting the city’s growing mobility needs.
