Kolkata metro lines currently number four: Blue, Green, Purple, and Orange, each at a different stage of completion and each covering a different part of the city. The Blue Line, India’s first metro, runs roughly 32 km between Dakshineswar and Kavi Subhash (New Garia) through the city’s north-south spine, including Esplanade and Park Street. The Green Line, known as the East-West Metro, connects Howrah Maidan to Salt Lake Sector V and includes India’s first underwater metro tunnel beneath the Hooghly river. The Purple Line currently runs a shorter stretch between Joka and Majerhat in the south-west, with further stations under construction toward an eventual Esplanade interchange. The Orange Line, still being built out, currently operates between Kavi Subhash and Beleghata and is being extended toward Salt Lake and the airport, with full completion targeted for around December 2026. Because the network is expanding fast, always check the operator’s official channels for the latest station list before you travel.
Blue Line: Dakshineswar to Kavi Subhash
The Blue Line is Kolkata’s original metro corridor and India’s first metro line, with initial services dating back to 1984. It now runs about 32 km end to end across 26 stations, forming the city’s main north-south spine. Key stops include Dum Dum (interchange with Indian Railways), Esplanade, Park Street, Kalighat, Rabindra Sarobar, and the southern terminus at Kavi Subhash, also known as New Garia. Because this is the busiest and oldest line, expect the most frequent service but also the most crowding during office hours. Station rebuilding work happens periodically on this line, so it’s worth checking current terminal status before planning a trip that depends on the far ends of the route.
Green Line: Howrah Maidan to Salt Lake Sector V (East-West Metro)
The Green Line, commonly called the East-West Metro, is the more technically ambitious of Kolkata’s lines — its central stretch runs through India’s first underwater metro tunnel, passing beneath the Hooghly river to connect Howrah with the main city. On the eastern end, it terminates at Salt Lake Sector V, the heart of Kolkata’s IT corridor, making it the most useful line for daily commuters heading to that business district. The line currently has 12 operational stations, with its most recent extension completed in August 2025. If you’re weighing where to stay for a Sector V job, our guide to the best PGs near Sector V factors in this line’s connectivity.
Purple Line: Joka to Majerhat
The Purple Line currently connects Joka to Majerhat in south-west Kolkata, with 7 stations operational, 5 under construction, and further stations approved to eventually extend the line toward Esplanade, where it’s expected to interchange with the Blue Line. This line matters most for residents of Behala and neighbouring south-west neighbourhoods, since it’s the most direct rail link those areas have into the wider metro network. If you’re comparing PG rents across the city, our PG price guide by area covers Behala specifically and notes how proximity to this line affects rent.
Orange Line: New Garia to the Airport
The Orange Line is Kolkata’s newest and most ambitious corridor, designed to eventually connect Kavi Subhash (New Garia) to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport via Salt Lake and Rajarhat New Town — a route of nearly 30 km across 24 planned stations. As of 2026, the operational stretch runs between Kavi Subhash and Beleghata, with construction actively progressing toward Salt Lake Sector V and beyond. Full completion is targeted for around December 2026, at which point the full end-to-end journey is expected to take roughly 56 minutes, a significant improvement over surface transport during peak traffic.
How the Four Lines Connect
Esplanade is the planned hub for the network, expected to eventually link the Blue, Green, and Purple lines once ongoing construction is complete. Today, the most reliable interchange is between the Blue and Green lines, both of which serve central stations near Esplanade and Park Street. Until the Purple and Orange lines are fully connected into this hub, travelling between their operational stretches and the rest of the network often still requires a short auto, bus, or taxi ride to bridge the gap — our complete guide to getting around Kolkata covers those connecting options in detail.
Kolkata Metro Lines at a Glance
| Line | Route | Status (2026) | Good For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Line | Dakshineswar – Kavi Subhash | Fully operational | North-south spine, Esplanade, Park Street |
| Green Line | Howrah Maidan – Salt Lake Sector V | Operational (12 stations) | Sector V commute, underwater river crossing |
| Purple Line | Joka – Majerhat | Partially operational, extending to Esplanade | Behala and south-west Kolkata |
| Orange Line | Kavi Subhash – Airport | Partially operational, targeting Dec 2026 | Salt Lake, New Town, airport commute |
Tips for Riding Kolkata Metro Lines
- Buy a smart card if you’ll be riding regularly — it’s faster than tokens and works across the Blue and Green lines.
- Avoid peak office hours (roughly 9–11 am and 5–8 pm) on the Blue Line if you’re carrying luggage or travelling with kids.
- All Kolkata metro stations run security screening similar to airports — keep bags easy to open for a quick check.
- Check the official operator’s site for the latest schedule before travelling on the Purple or Orange lines, since both are still being extended.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many metro lines does Kolkata have?
Kolkata currently has four metro lines at various stages of completion: the Blue Line (fully operational), the Green Line (operational with 12 stations), and the Purple and Orange lines, both partially operational and under active construction.
Which is the oldest Kolkata metro line?
The Blue Line is the oldest, with services dating back to 1984, making it India’s first operational metro line. It remains the busiest corridor in the network.
Does Kolkata have an underwater metro?
Yes. The Green Line includes a tunnel that runs beneath the Hooghly river, connecting Howrah with central Kolkata — it was India’s first underwater metro tunnel when it opened.
When will the Orange Line to the airport be complete?
Full completion of the Orange Line from New Garia to the airport is targeted for around December 2026, though construction timelines on Indian metro projects commonly shift, so treat this as an estimate rather than a fixed date.
How do I check the live status of a Kolkata metro line?
The most reliable source is the official Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation website and app, which post service updates, timing changes, and newly opened stations as they happen.
