News Brief
Arjun Brij
Aug 13, 2025, 01:19 PM | Updated 01:19 PM IST
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Kolkata is poised for a major metro network expansion next week, with three new stretches across different lines nearing completion, according to a Times of India report.
Railway Board Chairman and CEO Satish Kumar revealed the development while inspecting the East-West Metro’s Esplanade–Sealdah section on Tuesday (12 August).
The upcoming launches include the 2.6 km Esplanade–Sealdah segment of the Green Line (East-West Metro’s final stretch), the 7 km Noapara–Airport corridor on the Yellow Line (its first operational phase), and the 4.5 km Ruby–Metropolitan link on the Orange Line’s Phase II.
“Soon,” Kumar told reporters when asked about the commissioning date, later suggesting that efforts were being made to roll out services next week.
As per the TOI report, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to flag off all three lines on the morning of 22 August.
The main ceremony is expected to be held at the Yellow Line’s Jessore Road Metro station, chosen for its surface-level location, which meets the Prime Minister’s Office security requirements.
Initially, Sealdah and Airport stations were considered, but both were ruled out due to their underground design posing security constraints.
Kumar inspected Jessore Road station alongside Metro Railway GM P Uday Kumar Reddy and senior officials.
Following the Kolkata event, the Prime Minister is slated to inaugurate the 1,320 MW Buxar thermal power project in Chausa, Bihar, later the same day.
Metro authorities are finalising operational preparations and event logistics to ensure a smooth launch.
Arjun Brij is an Editorial Associate at Swarajya. He tweets at @arjun_brij