Public transport in Greater Kolkata



Public transport map of Kolkata

Greater Kolkata has one of the most extensive public transport networks in India. The diverse modes of public transport in the region ranges from the modern rapid transit system to the old heritage tram system.

Understand[edit]

Map
Public transport map of Greater Kolkata

Ferries, local trains and trams are one of the oldest modes of public transport in Greater Kolkata. Before the construction of road bridges over the Hooghly River, ferries were heavily used to transport between the two banks of the river. The ferries are still used to cross the river, mainly for sightseeing and to avoid the traffic on the bridges.

The first passenger railway service in Eastern India began on 15 August 1854 on its first run between Howrah to Hooghly. The service gradually evolved into the present-day Kolkata Suburban Railway Network. The trains were used to run in steam, but they were replaced by electric multiple units (EMUs) by the 1950s–60s.

Kolkata's tram system was opened in 1872. The trams were used to run by horses and steam, but they were replaced by electric trams by 1902. The tram network had up to 37 routes in the 1960s, but it has gradually reduced to only six routes operating as of 2024. The reasons cited include financial struggles, poor maintenance, low ridership, the addition of road flyovers, expansion of metro, slow tram speed and perceptions that the trams are outdated and occupy too much road space.

Bus services in Kolkata started in 1920, which was reorganised into 6 intracity routes with a fleet of 25 buses in 1948. The bus services were used to run by three companies, namely Calcutta State Transport Corporation (CSTC), Calcutta Tramways Company (CTC) and West Bengal Surface Transport Corporation (WBSTC). The three companies were merged into West Bengal Transport Corporation (WBTC) by 2016.

Bus[edit]

A private regular bus in Kolkata

The bus network around Greater Kolkata is possibly the most exhaustive in the whole of India and it is the cheapest, though not always the most comfortable means of transport. The routes are written all over the colourful buses in Bengali and also in English. The conductors call out their destinations to everyone they are passing and all you have to do is wave at the bus anywhere and it will stop, at times causing a small queue of other cars behind it. Buses in Kolkata, Howrah and other parts of West Bengal do not have a card system. One has to buy tickets after boarding the bus. The bus tickets are simple paper tickets purchased from the bus conductor.

You can travel 20 km at around ₹10. The exact fare depends on the type of bus. There are both state-run and private buses that ply the city streets.

State-run buses[edit]

State-run buses in Greater Kolkata are operated by West Bengal Transport Corporation (WBTC). These buses are generally painted blue and are identified by the acronym WBTC on the front windscreen and on their body. Non-air-conditioned buses fare start from ₹10 whereas air-conditioned buses fare start from ₹25. WBTC also provides some special transport services on some occasions, like Gangasagar Mela, Durga Puja, Kolkata Book Fair and so on.

West Bengal Tourism operates a pair of double-decker tourist buses from Rabindra Sadan to Jorasanko during festive seasons. These buses are identified with blue and white shades and the roofless (Bengali: হুডখোলা, huḍkholā) upper deck. The ticket costs ₹649 per head for the upper deck and ₹499 per head for the lower deck.

Private buses[edit]

Private buses are run by private operators who are affiliated with bus unions. They are of three types:

  • Regular buses: Coloured blue and yellow.
  • Short-distance buses (SD): Coloured blue and white.
  • Minibuses: Coloured red and yellow but contains fewer seats.

Termini[edit]

The bus termini in Greater Kolkata are:

  • 1 Babughat Bus Terminus, ~8 Strand Rd. One of the main bus termini in Kolkata alongside Esplanade. One can find interstate buses going into Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and other cities of West Bengal.
  • 2 Barasat Bus Terminus, Champadali.
  • 3 Howrah Bus Terminus (W of the Howrah Bridge, N of Howrah station). Buses are available from Howrah and different parts of West Bengal.
  • 4 Esplanade Bus Terminus (Dharmatala Bus Stand). It has bus terminals for buses from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sikkim, Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar and other parts of the country.
  • 5 International Bus Terminus, Karunamoyee, Sector-III, Bidhannagar. The Kolkata-Dhaka bus service operates from here.
  • 6 Kolkata Central Bus Terminus (Santragachi Bus Stand) (outside Santragachi station).
  • 7 Nabanna Bus Terminus, Andul Rd.

Ferry[edit]

A ferry operating between Howrah amd Kolkata

The ferry services to cross the Hooghly River from Kolkata to Howrah is very convenient to zip across both cities. The Hooghly River offers a less crowded but slow traffic medium. There are several points (popularly called ghats and jetties) on the bank of the river from where you can board several regular routes of ferry services. Operated by the West Bengal Transport Corporation (WBTC), the ferries can be fairly large launches to small improvised motorised boats. Even if you don't get any exotic manual boat like you get in Varanasi, the river transport of Greater Kolkata lets you go to several old spots near the bank in a hassle-free manner with an additional dash of the view of decadent riverfront of the cities.

Buy the ticket before you board the ferry and retain the ticket till after you have crossed to the other side and have shown it to the ticket checker near the exit gate or else you will be penalised!

Ferry ghat Services Connections Other information
Ahiritola Ghat Bagbazar–Howrah
Sovabazar–Howrah
Sovabazar Ahiritola
Armenian Ghat Howrah–Armenian Ghat Burrabazar
Howrah Bridge
Babughat Babughat–Howrah
Babughat–Ramkrishnapur
Babughat
Eden Gardens
Bagbazar Bagbazar–Howrah
Fairlie Place–Bagbazar
Uttarpara–Bagbazar
Bagbazar
Dakshineswar Belur Math–Dakshineswar Dakshineswar
 1  Dakshineswar
Dakshineswar
Fairlie Place Fairlie Place–Bagbazar
Fairlie Place–Chandpal Ghat
Fairlie Place–Kuthi Ghat
Fairlie Place–Metiabruz
Fairlie Place–Uttarpara
Fairlie Place
B.B.D. Bag
Howrah Babughat–Howrah
Bagbazar–Howrah
Howrah–Armenian Ghat
Howrah–Uttarpara
Sovabazar–Howrah
Howrah
Howrah Junction
Kuthi Ghat Fairlie–Kuthi Ghat
Kuthi Ghat–Belur
Outram Ghat Babughat
Eden Gardens
Prinsep Ghat Prinsep Ghat
Prinsep Ghat
Sovabazar Bagbazar–Howrah
Sovabazar–Howrah
Sovabazar Ahiritola

Metro[edit]

Kolkata Metro
Map of the Kolkata Metro. As of 2024, the lines 1, 2, 3 and 6 are operational

The oldest rail rapid transit system in India, the Kolkata Metro is the fastest, cleanest, most reliable and most efficient of all the transport Kolkata has to offer. Trains run every 5 minutes (rush hours) to 15 minutes (non-rush hours) from 6:55AM-10:30PM from Monday to Saturday and 9:50AM-10:00PM on Sunday. Fares range from ₹5-30.

The four-seat sections at each end of a coach are reserved for senior citizens and the physically challenged. The two middle seat sections, between the general seat sections on each side, are reserved for women. Smoking is also strictly prohibited on the metro premises. Violating any of these incurs a penalty.

Be aware that if you wish to exit at a station during rush hours, you will have to tackle your way through in order to get out before the opposite flow of passengers pushes you back inside. Don't be afraid of using your strength to push yourself out.

Lines[edit]

As of 2024, the lines 1, 2, 3 and 6 are operational.

Name Status Termini Other information
Operational Proposed
North–South Metro
(Blue Line)  1 
Operational Dakshineswar–Kavi Subhash (New Garia) The oldest metro line of Kolkata.
East–West Metro
(Green Line)  2 
Partly operational Howrah Maidan–Esplanade Howrah Maidan–Teghoria The line is divided into Howrah Maidan–Esplanade and Sealdah–Salt Lake Sector V sections. The Howrah Maidan–Esplanade section is the first underwater metro service of India.
Sealdah–Salt Lake Sector V
Purple Line  3  Partly operational Majerhat–Joka Esplanade–Diamond Park
Yellow Line  4  Under construction Noapara–Barasat
Pink Line  5  Proposed Barrackpore–Baranagar
Orange Line  6  Partly operational Hemanta Mukhopadhyay (Ruby)Kavi Subhash (New Garia) Jai Hind (Airport)Kavi Subhash (New Garia)

Stations[edit]

Only operational stations are listed here.

North–South Metro[edit]
Name Location Connections Other information
Baranagar Baranagar Dunlop
Baranagar Road
Belgachia North Kolkata Belgachia
Belgachia Metro
Belgachia More
Central Central Kolkata Central Avenue
Central Metro Station
Medical College
School of Tropical Medicine
Chandni Chowk Central Kolkata Chandni Chowk
Victoria House
Dakshineswar Dakshineswar Alambazar More
Dakshineswar
Dakshineswar
Dakshineswar
Dum Dum Dum Dum Dum Dum Station
Dum Dum Junction
Esplanade Esplanade Esplanade
Esplanade
Girish Park North Kolkata Girish Park
Gitanjali South Kolkata (Naktala) Bunty Cinema
Rathtala
Naktala (minibus)
Jatin Das Park South Kolkata (Hazra) Hazra
Jatin Das Park
Sujata Sadan
Kalighat South Kolkata Rashbehari Crossing
Rashbehari Gurudwara
Rashbehari Crossing
Kavi Nazrul East Kolkata (Garia Bazar) Garia Bazar
Garia No. 5
Garia No. 6
Garia Metro
Garia More
Kavi Subhash East Kolkata (New Garia) New Garia
New Garia
Mahanayak Uttam Kumar South Kolkata (Tollygunge) Tollygunge
Tollygunge Tram Depot
Tollygunge
Mahatma Gandhi Road North Kolkata Mahajati Sadan
Muhammad Ali Park
Ram Mandir
Maidan Maidan Maidan
Masterda Surya Sen South Kolkata (Bansdroni) Bansdroni
Netaji South Kolkata (Kudghat) Kudghat
Netaji Bhavan South Kolkata (Bhowanipore) Netaji Bhawan
Jadu Babur Bazar
Noapara Baranagar 34C
Gharui Paschimpara
Health More
Park Street Central Kolkata Park Street
Rabindra Sadan
(Exide)
South Kolkata Chowringhee Road-Calcutta Club
Exide More
Rabindra Sadan
Rabindra Sarobar South Kolkata (Charu Market) Bhabani Cinema
Rabindra Sarobar
Charu Market
Tollygunge
Shahid Khudiram East Kolkata (Dhalai Bridge) Dhalai Bridge
Khudiram Metro
Shobhabazar Sutanuti North Kolkata Shobhabazar Metro
Jaipuria College
Shyambazar North Kolkata Shyambazar
Shyambazar 5 Point
Shyambazar Metro
Shyambazar

East–West Metro[edit]

Name Location Connections Other information
Bengal Chemical East Kolkata Bengal Chemical
Mani Square
Central Park East Kolkata Bikash Bhawan
Sech Bhawan
City Center East Kolkata City Center
Esplanade Esplanade Esplanade
Esplanade
Howrah Howrah Howrah Station
Howrah
Howrah Maidan Howrah Howrah Maidan
Karunamoyee East Kolkata  2  Karunamoyee
Phoolbagan East Kolkata Phoolbagan
Phoolbagan (minibus)
Salt Lake Sector V East Kolkata Salt Lake
Wipro
Salt Lake Stadium East Kolkata Apollo Hospital
Kadapara
Swabhumi
Sealdah North Kolkata Sealdah
NRS
Sealdah

Purple Line[edit]

Name Location Connections Other information
Behala Bazar South Kolkata Behala Bazar
Behala Chowrasta South Kolkata Behala Chowrasta
Joka South Kolkata  3  Diamond Park
Joka
Mahakaran Esplanade (B. B. D. Bagh) B. B. D. Bagh
B. B. D. Bagh
Majerhat South Kolkata Majerhat
Sakherbazar South Kolkata Kadamtala
Behala Sakherbazar (minibus)
Silpara
Thakurpukur
Taratala South Kolkata Ajanta Cinema
Taratala
Thakurpukur South Kolkata Thakurpukur Bazar
Thakurpukur Police Station

Orange Line[edit]

Name Location Connections Other information
Hemanta Mukhopadhyay East Kolkata (Ruby) Ruby
Jyotirindra Nandi East Kolkata (Mukundapur) Metro Cash & Carry
Kavi Subhash East Kolkata (New Garia) New Garia
New Garia
Kavi Sukanta East Kolkata (Kalikapur) E.M. Bypass (Kalikapur)
Satyajit Ray East Kolkata (Ajay Nagar) Highland Park

Local Train[edit]

See also: Rail travel in India
A local train at Kalyani Simanta station in Kalyani

Greater Kolkata is part of both the Eastern Railway (ER) and the South Eastern Railway (SER) zone. The region is served by both passenger and suburban railway services. The Kolkata Suburban Railway, commonly referred to as "local trains", has the largest suburban railway network in India. The suburban trains are identified by its white-pink livery, and depending on the route, such trains can be extremely crowded. It is less expensive to travel around by train as compared to private taxis.

There are five lines under the suburban railway network, including the Chord Link Line, Circular Railway, Eastern Line, Sealdah South and the South Eastern Line.

Kolkata Circular Railway[edit]

The Kolkata Circular Railway  Circular  is a railway loop line around Kolkata, which begins and terminates at Dum Dum Junction railway station. The line mostly runs along the Hooghly River and through the city centre. The Circular Railway offers direct interchange points with the North–South Metro at Dum Dum and Tollygunge railway stations, while connecting multiple tourist places and ghats, for example Prinsep Ghat and the Eden Gardens. It provides a scenic view for daily commuters and visitors.

From Dum Dum Junction to Tala, the line is double-tracked, while from Tala to Majerhat, the line is single-tracked. Running by the side of the Hooghly River from Tala to Majerhat, it joins and runs parallel to the Sealdah South tracks after Majerhat and elevates at Park Circus in order to bypass Sealdah (which is a terminal station). After bypassing Sealdah, it rejoins the mainline at Bidhannagar Road and again terminating at Dum Dum Junction.

Station name Station code Location Connections Other information
Ballygunge BLN South Kolkata Ballygunge Station
Ballygunge Station
B.B.D Bag BBDB Esplanade Fairlie Place
Fairlie Place Ghat
Dum Dum Junction DDJ Dum Dum Dum Dum Station
 1  Dum Dum
Eden Gardens EDG Maidan Babughat
Babughat
Outram Ghat
Kolkata KOAA North Kolkata Kolkata Station
Majerhat MJT Southwest Kolkata
Prinsep Ghat PPGT Maidan Prinsep Ghat
Prinsep Ghat
Tala TALA North Kolkata
Tollygunge TLG South Kolkata Bhabani Cinema
Rabindra Sarobar
Charu Market
 1  Rabindra Sarobar

Tram[edit]

An air-conditioned tram in 2019
Map of the Kolkata Tram network

Kolkata has the only tram service in all of India and the oldest surviving electric tram network in Asia. Though decommissioned in some parts of the city, electric trams are still one of the means of travelling between a few places within the city. They move slowly on the laid tracks in traffic-jammed streets, but they are environment-friendly (no emissions on the street, only at the source of energy generation). The trams were operated by the Calcutta Tramways Company (CTC) until 2016 when the company merged into the West Bengal Transport Corporation (WBTC).

The tram network had up to 37 routes in the 1960s, but it has gradually reduced to only six routes operating as of 2024:

  • Route No. 5: Esplanade–Shyambazar
  • Route No. 11: Howrah Bridge–Shyambazar
  • Route No. 18: Howrah Bridge–Bidhannagar
  • Route No. 24/29: Ballygunge Jn–Tollygunge
  • Route No. 25: Esplanade–Gariahat

Stay safe[edit]

Water-logging, caused by heavy rains during the summer monsoon, often interrupt transport networks. Keep yourself updated with the latest weather news before venturing out to use public transport.

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