PM Modi Inaugurates Three New Metro Lines in Kolkata

Quick Summary

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated three new metro routes in Kolkata on August 22, 2025.
• the inauguration includes Kolkata’s first direct metro link to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport via the Yellow Line (6.77 km).
• The Green Line extension (2.45 km) connects Howrah and Sealdah railway terminals for seamless travel, reducing commute time from ~50 minutes to 11 minutes.
• The orange Line enhances connectivity between the city’s eastern and western parts.
• Officials believe these stretches will ease congestion and improve daily commuting for millions in Kolkata.
• Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee did not attend the event; TMC leaders mentioned alleged harassment of migrants from West Bengal under BJP-led governments as a reason.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The inauguration of three new metro corridors positions Kolkata’s public transport system for significant advancement.By directly linking key areas like the airport with city transit networks, these projects address long-standing infrastructural gaps that have burdened commuters with extended travel times and road congestion. Enhancing accessibility between major railway hubs through rapid transit could also provide relief for daily passengers navigating crowded streets.

Politically, Mamata Banerjee’s absence hints at ongoing tensions between the ruling parties at state and national levels but does little to overshadow what seems to be a milestone achievement in urban infrastructure progress initiated during her tenure as Central Railways Minister. For Indians observing this progress, it reaffirms a step forward toward modernizing regional transportation-an essential component for lasting urban growth.

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