Kolkata's new lifeline: Purple Line extension to IIM-C

The extension of Kolkata Metro’s Purple Line is set to move forward, with bids invited for a ₹377.8 crore contract to construct a 1.7 km viaduct and a new metro station connecting Joka to IIM-Calcutta. Construction is expected to commence in November 2025.

The selected contractor will have a 30-month timeline to complete the project, which includes the construction of 44 piers and the new station. According to railway officials, the station will be designed with future integration in mind, including a proposed extension toward Diamond Park.

This project forms a crucial part of the larger Purple Line corridor (Joka–Esplanade), which will ultimately span 18 km with 14 stations, running parallel to the city’s existing North-South Metro corridor. Once fully operational, the Purple Line will allow commuters to travel from Kolkata Airport to IIM-Calcutta via a seamless network of metro interchanges, enhancing connectivity for students, faculty, and residents in South Kolkata.

Officials noted that the extension will not only improve access to the IIM-Campus but also benefit surrounding neighborhoods. Meanwhile, Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) is progressing on the line’s northern underground extension, with a station proposed near the Governor House lawns.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.