Kolkata: The first Metro service rolled on the 4.4km new stretch between Ruby and Beleghata on the Orange line along EM Bypass on Monday, easing the commute for many office-goers availing themselves of Sealdah South suburban train services from Garia. Till Friday, Kestopur resident Sourav Jana spent about an hour on a bus to reach Garia station, from where he catches a train to Diamond Harbour daily. On Monday, he experienced "a smoother and comfortable journey" to the railway station in around 20 minutes. "This Metro service is of immense help to me to reach my workplace in Diamond Harbour," said Jana.
Metro is running a total of 60 services on the Beleghata-Kavi Subhash stretch from 8 am to 8:05 pm, and its frequency is 25 minutes. | Gold Rates Today in Kolkata | Silver Rates Today in KolkataShilpi Sarkar, an Ajoy Nagar resident who teaches in a govt school near Tiljala, took a Kavi Subhash-bound Metro from VIP Bazar station. "By taking the Metro, I can avoid traffic congestion on the road and save time," she said. Anamitra Roy, a student of JU Salt Lake campus, took the metro to Beleghata in the morning. "Till Beleghata, I could avoid jostling in jam-packed buses. I am waiting for this corridor to be fully functional," he said.
On Monday, Pradip Samanta took out his nieces Joana Samaddar and Risha Das for a joyride. "They are excited seeing vehicles ply below on the road," said Samanta.