Kolkata is set for the inauguration of three Metro projects on August 22 – Sealdah-Esplanade section of the Green Line, Hemanta Mukhopadhyay (Ruby Crossing)-Beleghata section of the Orange Line, and Noapara-
Jai Hind Bimanbandar (airport) section of the Yellow Line. The inauguration will be done by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with the Union Railway Ministry also sending an invitation to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, though her participation is not confirmed yet.
Reports suggest one of the Metro stations on the yellow line is approximately 14 metres underground and features five platforms, each 180 metres long. This forms part of the Noapara to Barasat (Yellow Line) Metro corridor, which spans 18.13 km, 12.77 km underground and 5.36 km elevated. A stretch of 7.04 km, from Noapara to Kolkata Airport, has already been completed.
Safety Clearance Granted
The Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS), Sumeet Singhal, has approved the Noapara to Jai Hind (Airport) stretch of Kolkata Metro’s Yellow Line following a detailed inspection. The 7.04-km segment, including the Noapara to Dum Dum Cantonment (2.84 km) and Dum Dum Cantonment to Airport (4.20 km) sections, is now ready for passenger service.
During the inspection, CRS Singhal evaluated track quality, emergency systems, and safety protocols, accompanied by senior Metro officials, including Principal Chief Engineer Anuj Mittal. He reportedly expressed satisfaction with the section’s readiness. Metro services are expected to begin soon, initially using platforms 1 and 2, with the remaining platforms to open once the Barasat extension is complete.
Convenient Access Points And Facilities
Jai Hind Metro Station will feature five entrances:
- Entrance 1 is directly opposite the airport gate.
- Entrance 2 lies near the taxi parking area.
- Entrances 3 and 4 are located near Gate 2 and the police barracks.
- Entrance 5 is close to Jessore Road, providing subway access for bus passengers.
The station includes:
- 6 staircases, 6 lifts, and 9 escalators.
- The airport-bound subway has 3 staircases, 4 lifts, and 6 escalators, measuring 330 metres in length and 11 metres wide.
- The Jessore Road subway contains 2 staircases, 2 lifts, and 3 escalators, with a length of 270 metres and a width of 13 metres.
- Additionally, a 48-metre yard, said to be the largest in India, is being built with seven lines.
Four Key Stations On The Route
The completed 7 km stretch includes the following stations:
- Noapara (interchange with the Blue Line),
- Dum Dum Cantonment,
- Jessore Road, and
- Jai Hind (Airport).
The Blue Line, connecting with Noapara, is the country’s oldest Metro service.
Major Connectivity Milestone For Kolkata
Once inaugurated, the Green Line, India’s first underwater Metro, will be fully operational, linking Howrah Maidan to Salt Lake Sector 5. Meanwhile, the Yellow Line will offer a long-awaited Metro connection to Kolkata Airport, significantly improving urban mobility in the region.
