Kolkata Metro Projects Receive Mixed Funding in Union Budget 2026-27
The Union Budget 2026-27 has allocated funds for Kolkata's metro corridors, with the Orange Line and Purple Line receiving slightly adjusted amounts compared to last year. The Orange Line, covering the New Garia-Airport corridor, has been granted Rs 705.5 crore, which is marginally lower than the previous year's budgetary allocation of Rs 720 crore. In contrast, the Purple Line, spanning the Joka-Esplanade corridor, has seen a small increase, receiving Rs 906 crore against last year's Rs 901 crore.
Green Line Operational with Enhanced Funding
The Green Line, also known as the East-West Metro, is now fully operational along a 16.6 km stretch. This corridor, which includes India's first under-river metro section from Sector V to Howrah Maidan, has been allocated Rs 529 crore in the latest budget, up from Rs 500 crore last year. This increase reflects the line's successful commissioning and ongoing maintenance needs.
Challenges and Delays Impacting Allocations
Officials had anticipated more substantial funding for the Orange and Purple lines, given their status as upcoming metro projects for the city. However, several bottlenecks have influenced the Centre's decision to moderate the allocations. For the Orange Line, a key issue is the stalled work on a 366-meter viaduct at Chingrighata, which has been delayed for a year. This has hindered progress on Phase II of the corridor, where 15 km of the total 32 km route is expected to become operational once completed.
In a significant drop from previous years, the Orange Line's allocation has decreased sharply from Rs 1,791.3 crore in the 2024-25 fiscal to the current Rs 705.5 crore. Officials note that much of the earlier funds were used to prepare an 8.8 km section beyond Ruby crossing till Sector V, with hopes of commissioning it by June 2025, but the Chingrighata roadblock has disrupted these plans.
Purple Line Faces Land Acquisition Hurdles
The Purple Line's allocation, while slightly higher than last year, falls short of expectations. Officials had hoped for a more substantial increase, especially after a mid-year revised allocation of around Rs 1,400 crore for the 14 km Joka-Esplanade corridor. The primary obstacle is the last 6-km stretch, which is hampered by 528 unauthorized shops at BC Roy Market, where the terminal Esplanade station is planned. This land issue has significantly slowed progress.
Other Metro Projects and Political Context
Other metro projects in Kolkata, such as the Yellow Line (the 18 km Noapara-Barasat corridor, also known as the airport line), have been merged under various heads like the Sovereign Green Fund. Absolute allocations for these are still being finalized, with funds to be released based on project progress and resolution of bottlenecks.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted in December 2025 that about 20 km of metro lines around Kolkata are facing delays due to land acquisition issues and pending No Objection Certificates (NOCs) with the state government. This broader context underscores the challenges in urban infrastructure development in the region.
Meanwhile, political reactions have emerged, with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee criticizing the Centre's budget as offering "nothing for the common man" in Bengal, labeling it a "Humpty Dumpty" budget. This adds a layer of political tension to the funding discussions for Kolkata's metro projects.
