Kolkata Metro Sees Record Durga Puja Ridership as RVNL Invites Bids for ₹297 Crore Purple Line Project

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Thu, Oct 22, 10:17 PM IST • 2 min read

Kolkata Metro recorded a significant increase in passenger footfall during Durga Puja 2026, while a major infrastructure contract is set to support the development of its Purple Line corridor. Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) has invited bids for a ₹297.45 crore contract covering power distribution, traction substations and a 750 V DC third-rail system on the Purple Line.

The development comes as Kolkata Metro continues to play a crucial role in managing the city's massive festive crowds and improving urban connectivity.

RVNL Invites Bids for ₹297.45 Crore Kolkata Metro Purple Line Contract

The ₹297.45 crore contract covers the installation of power distribution infrastructure, traction substations and a 750 V DC third-rail system for Kolkata Metro's Purple Line.

The project includes four underground stations between Mominpur and Esplanade, associated tunnels and the elevated Joka–IIM section. The work falls under the Diamond Park–Joka–Esplanade corridor, an important part of Kolkata's expanding metro network.

The proposed electrical and traction infrastructure will support metro operations along the corridor as development of the Purple Line progresses.

Kolkata Metro Records 61.51 Lakh Passengers During Durga Puja 2026

Kolkata Metro carried 61.51 lakh passengers from Panchami to Dashami during Durga Puja 2026, registering a 32% increase compared with 46.56 lakh passengers during the corresponding period last year.

Sasthi witnessed an all-time daily ridership record of 12.01 lakh passengers, highlighting the growing dependence on metro services during the city's biggest annual festival.

Among individual stations, Dum Dum recorded the highest footfall with 4.97 lakh passengers. Kalighat followed with 4.83 lakh, while Sealdah registered 4.19 lakh passengers during the festive period.

Additional Security Measures to Manage the Festive Rush

To handle the heavy passenger rush, additional Kolkata Metro staff, Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel and state police were deployed across the network. The arrangements focused on crowd management, passenger movement and security during the Durga Puja celebrations.

The rise in festive ridership highlights the importance of reliable public transport in Kolkata, particularly during periods of exceptionally high travel demand.

Kolkata Metro Expansion and Rising Ridership

The ₹297.45 crore Purple Line contract and the record Durga Puja ridership underline two important developments for Kolkata's transport network: continued investment in metro infrastructure and growing passenger demand.

As Kolkata's metro network expands, investments in traction power and electrical systems will remain essential to supporting operations along developing corridors. At the same time, the increase in festive passenger numbers reinforces the metro's role in providing mass transportation across the city.

The progress of the Purple Line, alongside rising ridership across Kolkata Metro, remains an important development for the city's urban mobility and public transport infrastructure.