For years, the Orange Line has been the Kolkata Metro project that commuters in Salt Lake Sector V and the eastern fringe kept hearing about but could not ride. That is now close to changing. The last missing piece, a roughly 4.5 km stretch from Beleghata to IT Centre, has been running trial trains since around Mahalaya, and the state and the Railways are both aiming for passenger services by December 2026. Nothing is final until safety certification is done, but the direction is clear, and it matters for anyone who commutes between south Kolkata, the EM Bypass corridor and Sector V.
What Is Happening on the Stretch
The section runs for about 4.46 km and adds three new stations after Beleghata: Gour Kishore Ghosh, Nalban and IT Centre. According to reports from around 11 October, the first trial run took place on the Saturday before, and it also kicked off testing of the Communication Based Train Control (CBTC) signalling system, with Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) providing technical support. A metro official described it as a major milestone for a project that people in the city have waited on for a very long time.
The line is part of the larger Kavi Subhash to Jai Hind corridor (around 32 km in total, built in phases). The earlier sections from Kavi Subhash to Ruby and then onwards to Beleghata are already open. If you want the full station list and fares for the running section, see our Kolkata Metro Orange Line guide.
Why the Stretch Took So Long
The biggest hurdle was a 366 metre gap in the viaduct at the Chingrighata crossing, one of the busiest road junctions on the Bypass. Work on the missing section began in mid-May once permission for traffic blocks was obtained, and a push trolley inspection followed on 17 September after the viaduct and ballastless track were completed. We covered that milestone earlier in Kolkata Metro Orange Line clears Chingrighata after 6 years.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has said the earlier state government blocked permissions and stalled work there, and that the present administration completed the viaduct in 17 days after it had been blocked for 17 months. These are the minister’s claims as reported, and we have not independently verified the timeline.
The December Target and Who Wants It
Reports from 27 October and 2 November say commercial services are expected by December, subject to trial runs, testing and certification. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has asked the Railway Minister to invite Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inaugurate the stretch. The state is pushing for an early date because several large events are scheduled in Kolkata in December, including an international film festival, the Pravasi Sammelan and the World Energy Conference. The Railway Ministry is also said to be looking for an early inauguration slot.
Two things are not yet public: an exact opening date, and the final clearance from the safety authorities. Public reports we reviewed do not mention a Commissioner of Railway Safety inspection date, so treat December as a target, not a promise. Fares and train frequency on the new section have also not been announced.
What It Could Mean for Your Commute
Once open, the Orange Line would give people in the Beleghata, Bypass and New Garia belt a direct metro link towards IT Centre near Sector V. That is a corridor where the only options today are crowded buses, app cabs and the Bypass itself. It could also help visitors heading to events in the Salt Lake and New Town area. For a broader picture of how the lines connect, our Kolkata Metro route guide explains the interchanges.
- Do not plan around the new stations until the Kolkata Metro Railway announces an official opening date. Trial trains are not open to passengers.
- Keep using the existing route to Beleghata for now, and check current first and last train timings by line before you travel.
- If you travel often, a smart card makes interchanges faster. Our smart card, token and QR ticket guide covers how to buy and recharge.
- Rely only on official Metro Railway announcements for dates and fares, not on social media forwards.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the Beleghata to IT Centre metro open?
Reports say passenger services are targeted for December 2026, subject to completion of trials, testing and certification. No exact date has been announced.
Which stations are on the new stretch?
Beginning at Beleghata, the new stations are Gour Kishore Ghosh, Nalban and IT Centre.
How long is the new section?
About 4.5 km (reported as 4.46 km).
Can passengers ride the trial trains?
No. The trial runs are for testing the track, trains and CBTC signalling, and are not open to the public.
What will the fare be?
Fares for the new section have not been announced. The existing network uses a distance-based fare system.
The Bottom Line
The Orange Line extension to IT Centre is closer than it has ever been: the viaduct is built, trains are running trials and the state wants it ready for a busy December. Still, an opening date, safety clearance and fares are all pending. Keep an eye on official Kolkata Metro Railway notices, and we will update this page when a date is confirmed.
Sources: Millennium Post (11 October 2026) on the first Orange Line trial run; Metro Rail News (27 October 2026) and Construction World (2 November 2026) on the December opening target. Details such as dates and timelines are subject to change.
Featured image: A modern train on an elevated metro track, photo by Ishaan Sen on Unsplash.
