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Kolkata Metro expansion: Why Railways couldn’t take forward the Barrackpore–Kalyani metro corridor

Barrackpore Kalyani Metro Corridor Expansion Update: Presently, four metro corridors covering a total of 52 km are under construction in and around Kolkata.

In recent years, the construction of the Kolkata Metro rail project has expanded rapidly. (File Photo)

Kolkata Metro Barrackpore Kalyani Metro Corridor Update: In recent years, Kolkata Metro has expanded at a remarkable pace. While the network grew only from 28 km between 1972 and 2014 – a span of 42 years – it added another 17 km from 2014 to 2025, reaching a total of 45 km. However, several metro projects in the ‘City of Joy’ continue to face delays, largely due to land acquisition challenges.

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Amid this progress, an interesting question arises: why did the Ministry of Railways – under which Kolkata Metro operates – decide not to move forward with the Barrackpore–Kalyani metro corridor even after completing the survey?

Barrackpore–Kalyani metro route

During the ongoing session of Parliament, Lok Sabha MP Partha Bhowmick asked Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw whether there are any plans to extend the Kolkata Metro up to Kalyani, AIIMS to improve connectivity for the people of Barrackpore. In his response, Vaishnaw stated that a survey for a new metro corridor from Barrackpore to Kalyani had indeed been conducted, but the project could not be taken forward due to low traffic projection.

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“Survey for new metro corridor from Barrackpore to Kalyani was carried out but the project could not be taken forward due to low traffic projection,” he said. He further added that Kalyani is an existing station of Indian Railway Network on Sealdah-Ranaghat section.

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Kolkata Metro lines

Presently, four metro corridors covering a total of 52 km are under construction in and around Kolkata. Of this, nearly 20 km is stalled due to land acquisition and utility-shifting issues pertaining to the state government, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed in a written statement in the Lok Sabha on December 10.

Anish Mondal

Anish Mondal is a journalist with over nine years of experience covering the railways and roadways. Currently a member of the Indianexpress.com editorial team, Anish specializes in high-impact sectors. Professional Journey Anish began his career at the public broadcaster Rajya Sabha Television (now Sansad TV), where he developed a foundational understanding of legislative processes and national governance. In 2018, he transitioned to digital financial journalism at FinancialExpress.com, spending nearly six years refining his expertise in market trends and corporate reporting. Before joining The Indian Express in 2025, he served as a key contributor at ETNowNews.com. Education & Expertise Anish’s reporting is backed by a rigorous academic background in communication and the humanities: Master of Journalism and Mass Communication (MJMC) – Apeejay Stya University Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism and Production (PGTVRJP) – Apeejay Institute of Mass Communication Bachelor of Arts (English Honours) – University of Calcutta Areas of Coverage Connectivity: Detailed reporting on the expansion of Indian Railways and National Highway networks. ... Read More

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