PM Modi Launches ₹5,200 Crore Transport Projects in Kolkata: Metro Expansion and New Expressway

Kolkata’s public transport is getting a major upgrade. On 22 August 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated projects worth ₹5,200 crore in Kolkata. These projects focus on expanding metro services and boosting road connectivity, offering faster and smoother travel across the city.

New Metro Lines to Improve City Travel

Kolkata’s metro network grew significantly with the launch of three new metro stretches, covering 13.61 kilometres and adding seven new stations.

• Sealdah–Esplanade Metro: This section completes the East-West metro corridor, reducing the commute time from nearly 40 minutes to just 11 minutes.
• Noapara–Airport (Jai Hind Bimanbandar): This is Kolkata’s first metro link to the airport, making access to the airport much easier.
• Beleghata–Hemanta Mukhopadhyay: This new stretch connects commuters directly to the city’s growing IT hub.

These extensions make Kolkata’s metro system one of the fastest-growing networks in India.

Also Read: Kolkata Metro Expansion: Three New Routes to Transform City Travel

Kona Expressway: Road Commute Made Faster

Along with metro expansions, Modi also laid the foundation stone for a 6-lane elevated Kona Expressway, spanning 7.2 kilometres. Priced over ₹1,200 crore, this expressway will ease road access from Howrah and nearby areas into Kolkata, streamlining freight, passenger traffic, and port connections.

Why This Transformation Matters

These transport upgrades will:

• Speed up daily travel, saving time for thousands of commuters.
• Reduce road congestion by shifting passengers to the metro network.
• Offer multimodal travel, linking trains, metros, airports, and highways.
• Support economic growth, especially in the IT sector and city outskirts.
• Highlight green mobility, with more electric buses, stations, and infrastructure planned.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What new metro routes were launched in Kolkata?

Three new stretches: Sealdah–Esplanade, Noapara–Airport, and Beleghata–Hemanta Mukhopadhyay.

How much travel time is saved?

The Sealdah–Esplanade route now takes only 11 minutes, down from 40 minutes.

What is the business significance of these projects?

Better transport boosts daily life, supports startups and IT, improves airport access, and drives tourism and commerce.

(Featured image taken from DD News)