Kolkata is set to receive 60 new-generation trains over the next four to five years, Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on Saturday. After arriving in the city, the minister traveled from the airport to Noapara station and then took an auto to Belgharia Expressway. During the metro journey and while inspecting the Orange Line's concrete deck launching work at Chingrighata, he stated: 'Sixty new-generation trains will be inducted into the Kolkata Metro fleet in the next five years, with a focus on modernising the country's oldest metro network.'
In August 2025, Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL), responsible for implementing most of the city's metro projects, floated a tender for 10 modern rakes with anti-drag features. These features ensure that even if a small part of clothing gets stuck between doors, the system will stop. Passengers can also pull emergency brakes if they sense danger. Once they exit the train during a fire or critical situation, the third rail carrying electricity will automatically switch off.
The requisition for 10 rakes costing Rs 900 crore was canceled in September 2025. Had it proceeded, the rakes would have started arriving within 18 to 30 months. It remains to be seen whether the railways will renew the old tender so that the first lot of 10 eight-car rakes could arrive by next year. These trains will serve upcoming lines operating on advanced communication-based train control (CBTC) signaling, allowing 90 to 150 second frequencies.
At Chingrighata, where Orange Line work accelerated in the last fortnight after months of delay, Vaishnaw, alongside state urban development minister Agnimitra Paul, said: 'We were tired of asking for permission for Chingrighata from the erstwhile dispensation. Finally, we had to go to the high court. The HC asked the then state government to grant permission for traffic blocks at Chingrighata. The Trinamool government moved the Supreme Court. Even after losing in the Supreme Court, they did not give permission.'
Kolkata Metro is expected to span 130 km in the next few years. Metro Railway, which currently operates a 72 km network, faces a rake shortage. The under-construction Purple and Orange lines (each around 8 km) use four eight-car old Medha rakes upgraded to CBTC. Only the standard gauge Green Line is self-sufficient with 17 six-car CBTC-compliant BEML rakes. The remaining 38 broad gauge eight-car rakes are divided among the Blue, Purple, and Orange lines.
