Metro will cover 130 km in a few years, more riders may use e-payment: GM
Times of India | 17 August 2026
Kolkata: The city’s metro network will cover around 130 km in the coming years, Metro Railway general manager Prem Sagar Gupta said on Saturday, outlining the rapid transit system’s expansion plans on Independence Day.
Kolkata Metro now covers 73 km, with 13 km added on Aug 22 last year when PM Narendra Modi flagged off crucial links. The GM said Metro Railway carried 23.6 crore passengers during 2025-26, reflecting the growing role of the city’s metro system as the transportation lifeline.
Metro has also recorded a sharp rise in earnings in the current financial year, Gupta said. Metro has earned Rs 166 crore between April and July 2026, marking a 34% increase over the corresponding period of the previous year.
Gupta hoisted the National Flag at Metro Rail Bhavan, where he delivered a speech highlighting the expansion plans, passenger growth, and recent achievements.
Gupta also spoke of the increasing use of digital payment facilities among metro commuters. Passengers are increasingly using digital modes to buy tokens, smart cards, and QR code-based tickets, besides recharging smart cards, the GM said. Commuters can access these facilities through the Aamar Kolkata Metro app, which is available on the Google Play Store and App Store, he said.
Metro Railway authorities are also working to further improve safety, passenger amenities, and reliability standards, Gupta added.