Despite questions raised ahead of Durga Puja 2025 about its preparedness, Kolkata Metro has delivered record-breaking performance during the festival, setting new milestones in passenger count.
According to Metro authorities, between Panchami and Navami, nearly 43.6 lakh passengers travelled on the city’s underground network. Of this, Navami (October 1) recorded the highest single-day ridership, with 8.16 lakh passengers.
“On that day, 6.26 lakh commuters used the Blue Line (Dakshineshwar—Shahid Khudiram route), while 1.69 lakh opted for the Green Line (Howrah—Salt Lake route). Breaking down the data, the Blue Line carried 33.58 lakh passengers during the Puja period, while the Green Line recorded more than 9 lakh,” said a Metro official.
The festival also saw record adoption of digital services. “Over 4.83 lakh passengers booked tickets via the My Kolkata Metro app, reflecting a shift towards app-based and QR code ticketing,” said the official.
On the occasion of Puja, 18,494 new smart cards were issued under the Metro’s new scheme. In addition, more than 1.45 lakh cards were renewed for 10 years, while 638 tourist smart cards were sold.
Beyond the Puja week, September 2025 also proved historic for the Metro, with more than 2.25 crore passengers using the service — the highest monthly ridership in Kolkata Metro’s history.
To manage festive rush, Metro Railway ran 3,211 special trains from Panchami to Dashami this year, which is 651 more than last year.
“We believe the improved services, combined with digital ticketing, a 5 per cent bonus rebate on smart card recharges and reduced card prices, contributed to the surge in popularity,” the official added.
With its record-breaking ridership, Kolkata Metro has reinforced its growing role as the city’s lifeline, especially during festive seasons when the city streets remain congested.
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