The Kolkata Metro’s Green Line, also known as the East-West Metro, is a pivotal rapid transit corridor enhancing connectivity between the eastern and western regions of Kolkata. Spanning approximately 22 kilometers and encompassing 17 stations, this line includes India’s first underwater metro tunnel beneath the Hooghly River, linking Howrah and Kolkata.
Route and Stations
The Green Line extends from Salt Lake Sector V in the east to Howrah Maidan in the west, passing through key transit points such as Sealdah and Esplanade. Notably, the Howrah station on this line is India’s deepest metro station, situated at a depth of 30 meters
The operational stations on the Green Line include:
- Salt Lake Sector V
- Karunamoyee
- Central Park
- City Centre
- Bengal Chemical
- Salt Lake Stadium
- Phoolbagan
- Sealdah
- Esplanade
- Mahakaran
- Howrah
- Howrah Maidan
The section between Sealdah and Esplanade is currently under construction and is expected to be completed by 2025.
Timings and Frequency
The Green Line operates from 6:55 AM to 10:30 PM from Monday to Saturday, with trains running at intervals of 5 to 15 minutes. On Sundays, services commence at 9:50 AM and conclude at 10:00 PM.
Fares
The fare structure for the Green Line is designed to be affordable, with prices ranging between ₹5 and ₹30, depending on the distance traveled.
Recent Developments
As of March 2025, significant progress has been made on the Green Line’s expansion. The section between Esplanade and Howrah Maidan was inaugurated on March 6, 2024, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking a milestone in the project’s development. Trial runs for the remaining segment between Sealdah and Esplanade commenced on January 21, 2025, with full commercial operations anticipated to begin later this year.
Temporary service suspensions have occurred to facilitate essential trials and construction activities. For instance, operations were halted from February 20 to 23, 2025, to conduct crucial trials on the Sealdah-Esplanade connection. Additionally, services were suspended on March 8 and 9, 2025, to expedite ongoing work, with adjustments made to the last service timings on preceding days.
Future Prospects
Upon completion of the Sealdah-Esplanade section, the Green Line will offer seamless connectivity across Kolkata, significantly reducing travel times between key transit points. The integration of advanced infrastructure, including the underwater tunnel and deep-level stations, positions the Green Line as a landmark project in India’s urban transit landscape.
For the latest updates on timings, fares, and operational changes, passengers are advised to consult official Kolkata Metro announcements and reputable news sources.
