Kolkata Metro’s long-awaited Pink Line, expected to cut travel time between Baranagar and Barrackpore by at least 30 minutes, has received a key civic clearance, bringing the project closer to construction. The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has approved the closure of a 48-inch water transmission line along the congested Barrackpore Trunk Road (BT Road). Read on to know more.
Kolkata Metro Pink Line Gets Major Civic Clearance
According to reports by the Indian Express, KMC Municipal Commissioner Smita Pandey issued the approval through a no-objection certificate. The decision addresses one of the major hurdles facing the 12.5-km elevated metro corridor, which was sanctioned in 2009.
BT Road currently runs over six major underground water-supply pipelines, ranging between 42 and 72 inches in diameter. Managing these utilities has been a major challenge for the Pink Line project. Alongside the closure of the existing 48-inch pipeline, the KMC has also approved the construction of a new 72-inch water pipeline connecting the Indira Gandhi Water Treatment Plant in Palta with the Talla Pumping Station.
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The development comes shortly after Kolkata Metro floated a ₹1,587.3-crore tender for the construction of the elevated viaduct and 10 stations, according to the report. Also known as Line 5, the Pink Line will connect with Kolkata Metro’s Blue Line at Baranagar. The elevated corridor will run along BT Road towards Barrackpore, providing commuters with an alternative to the heavily congested road network and crowded Eastern Railway local trains.
Pink Line To Cut Travel Time, Ease Road Congestion
The planned stations are Baranagar, Kamarhati (Krishna Kali), Agarpara (Acharya Prafulla Chandra), Panihati (Sarat Chandra), Sodepur (Gandhi Ashram), Subhash Nagar (Sukchar), Khardaha (Rishi Bankim), Tata Gate (Dr Rajendra Prasad), Titagarh (Shah Nawaz Khan), Talpukur (Anukul Thakur) and Barrackpore (Mangal Pandey Terminal). Baranagar, the southern terminal, is already operational on the Blue Line and will serve as an important interchange for passengers travelling towards central Kolkata.
The proposed metro corridor has been welcomed by residents of the Barrackpore region, many of whom currently depend on buses, autorickshaws and suburban trains for daily travel.
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For commuters travelling towards central Kolkata, the Pink Line is expected to significantly reduce journey times. Residents have also highlighted the potential benefits for school-going children and families who currently have to navigate the heavily congested BT Road.
The project gained fresh momentum following discussions involving the West Bengal government, central government representatives and Rail Vikas Nigam Limited.
Good news for Kolkata people.
Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
FAQs
When can we expect pink line metro?
Bengaluru's Namma Metro Pink Line is expected to open in two phases, with the 7.5 km elevated stretch opening around September 2026 and the underground section following by mid-2027.
What is the current status of the Barrackpore metro project?
The Baranagar-Barrackpore Metro project (Pink Line) has finally cleared a major 15-year roadblock after receiving a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) and clearance from the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) in August 2026.
Is the Kolkata Underwater metro started?
Yes, Kolkata's underwater metro service is fully started and operational.