In a welcome move for weekend commuters, the Kolkata Metro Railway has announced a significant enhancement of its services on Sundays for the upcoming month of January 2025. The authority has decided to run additional trains on two of its busiest corridors: the North-South Metro's Blue Line and the East-West Metro's Green Line.
Enhanced Frequency for Weekend Travelers
The decision, aimed at catering to the growing passenger footfall on weekends, will see a revised and more frequent schedule. On the pivotal Blue Line, which connects Dakshineswar to Kavi Subhash, the service frequency will be improved. Trains will now run at an interval of 10 minutes during the peak hours of the day, specifically from 10 AM to 5 PM. This marks a substantial increase in convenience for those traveling on Sundays.
For the Green Line, operational between Sector V and Sealdah, the service will also see a boost. The Metro Railway has confirmed that additional services will be introduced on this line throughout January. This expansion is expected to significantly ease travel for residents of Salt Lake and those commuting to the IT hub in Sector V, even on weekends.
Official Announcement and Schedule Details
The official notification regarding the increased services was released by the Metro Railway authority. The enhanced schedule is set to be in effect for all Sundays in the month of January 2025. This initiative reflects the administration's responsiveness to passenger demand and its commitment to improving urban mobility in Kolkata.
A spokesperson for the Metro Railway highlighted that the move is a direct result of observing consistent passenger demand on Sundays. The traditional view of Sundays as a low-traffic day is changing in the bustling metropolis, and the metro services are adapting accordingly. The decision to focus on the Blue and Green lines was strategic, given their high ridership and role in connecting key residential, commercial, and business districts.
Benefits and Expected Impact
The introduction of more trains on Sundays is poised to offer multiple benefits to the city's populace:
- Reduced Waiting Time: The 10-minute frequency on the Blue Line during peak hours will drastically cut down passenger waiting time on platforms.
- Decongestion: With more trains available, crowding inside coaches and at stations is expected to decrease, leading to a more comfortable travel experience.
- Boost to Weekend Economy: Improved connectivity will encourage more people to travel for leisure, shopping, and dining, giving a potential boost to local businesses that thrive on weekend crowds.
- Convenience for IT Professionals: The enhanced Green Line service is a boon for professionals working in the Sector V IT sector who may have weekend commitments.
This proactive step by the Kolkata Metro is seen as part of a larger effort to modernize and expand the city's rapid transit network. It sets a positive precedent for future service adjustments based on dynamic passenger patterns, moving beyond the fixed weekly schedules. Commuters have largely welcomed the announcement, anticipating less hectic and more reliable Sunday travel starting from the first weekend of January 2025.
