The Kolkata Metro, India’s first metro system, is set for a major expansion with 19 km of new routes to be commissioned by the end of 2026, as part of an ambitious plan to extend the network to 130 km in the coming years.Announcing the developments during Metro Railway’s 41st Foundation Day celebrations at Esplanade station, Subhransu Mishra, General Manager, Metro Railway Kolkata, said the ongoing projects would significantly strengthen connectivity across the city and adjoining districts.“Kolkata has a special place in India’s metro history. From a 3.5-km stretch inaugurated on October 24, 1984, we now operate over 72 km. Another 57 km is sanctioned, with 29 km under construction. By the end of 2026, we will add 19 km by linking Beleghata station with the airport,” Mishra stated.He added that by 2029, an additional 10 km would be operational, connecting Majerhat with Esplanade and the airport with Michael Nagar, bringing the total metro length to approximately 130 km.The Kolkata Metro currently operates across five corridors: Blue Line: 31 km (New Garia–Dakshineswar) Green Line: 16.6 km (Sector V–Howrah Maidan) Purple Line: 8 km (Joka–Majerhat) Orange Line: 10 km (New Garia–Metropolitan) Yellow Line: 6.7 km (Noapara–Airport)The 32-km Orange Line, which currently runs between New Garia and Metropolitan, is expected to be fully operational by December 2026. Construction delays at Chingrighata crossing, which created a 366-metre gap, are being resolved with girder-launching scheduled for mid-November weekends.Once the Orange Line connects to Sector V and the Blue Line’s Kavi Subhash terminal reopens after reconstruction, Kolkata Metro will achieve loop connectivity linking the Blue, Orange, and Green corridors — enabling seamless travel across the city.The Kavi Subhash station, closed since July due to structural issues, will be rebuilt within the next eight months.Earlier this year, on August 22, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated 13 km of new lines, marking full operations of the East-West Metro, India’s first under-river metro line.News source: Swarajya