Kolkata Metro’s Planned Purple Line Extension to Eden Gardens to Enhance Connectivity
The Kolkata Metro’s latest proposal to extend the Joka-Esplanade Purple Line by an additional 1.6 km to Eden Gardens is garnering excitement among commuters, sports fans, and residents alike. This extension will significantly improve transportation access, especially for people working and living in key areas like Strand Road, Babughat, Calcutta High Court, and BBD Bag, while also benefiting cricket and football enthusiasts attending events at Eden Gardens.
Currently, the 14.4-km Purple Line connects Joka and Esplanade, operating in two sections – an elevated 8-km stretch and an underground 5-km corridor. The proposal to extend the line further to Eden Gardens would place a metro station right at the iconic stadium, benefiting fans attending matches as well as office-goers in the surrounding areas. The extension would enhance access to vital locations, such as Millennium Park and the nearby Mohun Bagan football ground, making it an attractive addition to the city’s transportation network.
Metro Railway sources indicate that the proposal has already been submitted to the Railway Board for approval. The initial plan was to link Eden Gardens to the Esplanade hub via a long subway. However, this new extension proposal, which will include a 1.6 km tunnel, is seen as a more effective solution for streamlining access. Unlike the subway plan, the new tunnel would offer easier and quicker access for commuters, reducing the need for a lengthy underground walk. From an environmental perspective, the revised proposal could also benefit the city by preserving several trees near Manohar Das Tarag, which would have been affected by the initial plan. By shifting the crossover point of the underground tracks closer to Strand Road, the metro authorities aim to minimise the environmental impact while still achieving their goal of improved connectivity. The plan also aligns with the vision of creating a major metro hub at Esplanade, which will feature commercial spaces and underground parking, ensuring that the central station remains a crucial node in the Purple Line network. As one of the busiest corridors, Esplanade will continue to serve as the primary station, while the Eden Gardens extension acts as an offshoot, further linking the city’s diverse regions.
For passengers, this extension will provide a much-needed boost in terms of convenience, with direct metro access to high-traffic areas like the high court, business districts, and the iconic stadium. Metro authorities estimate that the system already serves around 7.5 lakh passengers daily, and the extension to Eden Gardens will only further increase this figure, improving the efficiency and reach of Kolkata’s public transport network. Commuters and sports fans are expected to benefit the most from this development. With Kolkata being a hub for cricket and football, access to Eden Gardens via metro will reduce traffic congestion and allow fans to attend matches without worrying about parking or navigating crowded streets. Moreover, daily office-goers will enjoy faster, more efficient transport, making their commutes more comfortable and convenient. The proposed extension of the Joka-Esplanade Purple Line to Eden Gardens is a step in the right direction for Kolkata’s transportation system. The plan has the potential to transform how people move around the city, bringing improved connectivity, environmental considerations, and greater convenience to the people of Kolkata. If approved, it could become a game-changer for both the city’s public transit infrastructure and its sports culture.
