Kolkata on Track: The Massive Metro Expansion of 2026

Kolkata’s Metro network is poised for major expansion in 2026, with several key projects gaining momentum to enhance connectivity across the city. Among these, the Orange Line—linking New Garia with Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport—is the most significant and is expected to be completed within the year. Spanning 29.87 kilometres, the line will offer a seamless interchange with the Blue Line at Kavi Subhash and eventually integrate with the Green and Yellow lines. The full journey from Kavi Subhash to the airport is projected to take around 56 minutes and will include 24 stations.

Another important development is the Yellow Line extension from Noapara to New Barrackpore, which is scheduled for completion by August 2026. However, the further extension to Barasat remains delayed due to land acquisition challenges. Meanwhile, reconstruction work at Kavi Subhash station—earlier stalled due to structural issues—is expected to be completed by mid-2026. Progress on the Purple Line is also gathering pace, with underground tunnelling set to be a key focus area throughout 2026.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.