Kolkata Metro Set for Two Major Upgrades as Orange Line Work Resumes and Driverless Trains Move Closer

Kolkata Metro is inching closer to two significant milestones that promise to transform urban mobility in the city. Girder launching at Chingrighata for the Orange Line has finally resumed after remaining stalled for over two-and-a-half years, while the East-West Metro has completed key examinations for Automatic Train Operation (ATO), bringing Kolkata's first driverless Metro services a step closer.

Orange Line Extension Back on Track

The resumption of girder launching at Chingrighata removes the final major construction hurdle for the Orange Line extension between Kabi Subhash and IT Centre. With this critical phase now progressing, Metro authorities are targeting December 2026 for the commencement of commercial services, subject to successful trial runs and statutory safety clearance.

Once the viaduct is connected to Gour Kishore Ghosh station, track laying and signalling work will begin. Officials expect the remaining civil construction to be completed before Durga Pujo, after which trial runs are scheduled throughout November.

If the timeline remains on track, three new stations—Gour Kishore Ghosh, Nalban and IT Centre—will be opened, providing a seamless Metro connection between South Kolkata and Salt Lake Sector V, one of the city's largest IT and business hubs.

Kolkata's First Driverless Metro Moves Closer

In another major development, the East-West Metro has successfully completed examinations for Automatic Train Operation (ATO), an essential step towards introducing driverless Metro operations in Kolkata.

The project is now awaiting final statutory safety clearance before driverless services can be introduced. Once operational, Kolkata will join the growing list of Indian cities using advanced automated Metro technology to improve operational efficiency, safety and service reliability.

A Major Boost for Urban Connectivity

The Orange Line extension and the introduction of driverless train technology represent two important upgrades for Kolkata's rapidly expanding Metro network. Together, these developments are expected to improve connectivity, reduce travel time and make daily commuting more convenient for thousands of passengers across the city.

With work gathering pace on multiple Metro corridors, Kolkata continues to strengthen its public transport infrastructure and move towards a faster, smarter and more connected urban future.