As West Bengal steps into a politically charged new year, the relentless expansion of the Kolkata Metro network stands out as a central development focus. Following a landmark 2025 that saw the inauguration of several crucial stretches, authorities are now racing against time to complete vital missing links, with the most significant prize being a seamless, sub-hour connection between south Kolkata and the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport by the end of 2026.
The Crown Jewel: Orange Line's Final Push
The most anticipated project on the calendar is the full commissioning of the 32-km Orange Line corridor from New Garia (Kavi Subhash) to the Airport. While the section from New Garia to Beleghata is already running, the mission for 2026 is to bridge the remaining gap. Metro Railway officials have set a target of December 2026 for this project's completion.
Once operational, this line will transform cross-city commutes. Passengers will be able to travel approximately 29.87 km from Kavi Subhash to the airport in about 56 minutes, halting at 24 stations along the route via EM Bypass, New Town, and the crucial IT hub of Salt Lake Sector V. "This is one of the most critical stretches as it connects the southern and eastern parts of Kolkata directly to the airport. It will create a vital interchange nexus with the Blue Line at Kavi Subhash and link up with the Green and Yellow Lines at Jai Hind station," explained a senior Metro official.
To achieve this, work is being fast-tracked, particularly to overcome the Chingrighata gap and finish stations in New Town and Sector V. This progress, however, unfolds against the backdrop of ongoing land acquisition disputes between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the BJP, which continue to pose challenges.
Beyond the Orange Line: Other Critical Developments
The 2026 roadmap extends beyond the airport link. Authorities are aiming for August 2026 to commence services on the Yellow Line extension from Noapara to New Barrackpore. However, the further extension to Barasat faces delays due to persistent land acquisition issues.
Another key focus is the reconstruction of the Kavi Subhash station, the terminal of the Blue Line. After facing structural concerns in 2025, the station is expected to be fully rebuilt and operational by mid-2026.
Meanwhile, the ambitious Purple Line (Majerhat-Esplanade), while not slated for full completion until 2028, will see crucial underground tunnelling advances in 2026. The Tunnel Boring Machines named 'Durga' and 'Divya' are scheduled to achieve breakthroughs between Kidderpore, Victoria, and Park Street during the year. The Joka-Majerhat section of this line is already serving passengers.
Building on a Transformative 2025
The drive for 2026 builds upon a series of major achievements delivered in the previous year. On August 22, 2025, the network expanded by about 13.61 km with the inauguration of three key extensions, successfully linking the international airport and major railway stations. This included the full operation of the Green Line, which made the Howrah Metro Station the deepest in India. The Jai Hind station also emerged as the country's largest metro station.
Furthermore, in December 2025, Metro Railway introduced direct services connecting the Yellow Line (Airport) with the Blue Line (Kavi Subhash/New Garia) via the Noapara interchange, enhancing seamless cross-city travel options for commuters.
The overarching goal for the coming months is to weave these operational segments into a near-continuous ring that integrates south Kolkata, the bustling IT hub of Sector V, and the international airport, fundamentally reshaping urban mobility in the City of Joy.
