Kolkata East-West Metro’s Bowbazar Section likely to open this week during PM Modi’s visit

Kolkata, India (Metro Rail Today): After years of delays and anticipation, the much-awaited Bowbazar section of the East-West Metro Corridor in Kolkata may finally become operational on Friday, July 18, 2025, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to West Bengal. The development is expected to mark a major milestone for the Kolkata Metro, potentially enabling seamless direct train services between Howrah Maidan and Sealdah.

Metro officials are optimistic about the long-pending project's inauguration, although the Prime Minister’s official itinerary does not yet confirm it. However, sources suggest that the Railway Ministry has formally written to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), proposing the joint inauguration of the Bowbazar stretch and the metro segment between Esplanade and Sealdah during his visit.

A senior Metro Rail official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said, “All necessary tests have been completed for the Esplanade to Sealdah section. The Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) granted commercial operation clearance for the Bowbazar stretch last month. There is now no technical or regulatory hurdle preventing the launch of services on this critical link.”

The East-West Metro Corridor, also known as the Green Line, spans 16.5 km from Howrah Maidan to Salt Lake Sector V. However, due to the Bowbazar tunneling crisis, the route has been functioning in two disconnected segments: Howrah Maidan to Esplanade, and Sealdah to Sector V. The Bowbazar section, measuring approximately 2.5 km, has long been the missing link holding back full corridor connectivity.

If services between Howrah Maidan and Sealdah are inaugurated this week, passengers will be able to travel across the entire stretch from Howrah Maidan to Sector V without changing trains. This would drastically reduce travel time across Kolkata. According to Metro estimates, the journey from Howrah to Sealdah will take just 20 minutes, while a complete trip from Howrah Maidan to Sector V will take around 35–40 minutes, offering commuters a fast, affordable, and efficient alternative to road transport.

Another major attraction for commuters is the affordable fare. The Metro Railway has fixed the fare at ₹30 for the full 16.5 km journey, making it one of the most economical rapid transit systems in the country for the distance it covers.

Once operational, the complete East-West Metro line is expected to revolutionize public transport in Kolkata by linking major transit points like Howrah Station, Sealdah Station, Esplanade, and Salt Lake Sector V, facilitating faster daily commutes, reducing congestion, and supporting sustainable urban mobility goals.

With all approvals in place and political will aligning, the upcoming visit by the Prime Minister could be the final trigger for unlocking full-scale operations of the East-West Metro. The countdown has begun, and Kolkata waits with bated breath for what could be a historic day in the city’s metro journey.