• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

The Kolkata Metro Authority has decided to operate 6 new trains on the Blue and Green Lines to control the surge of people who will be visiting the Durga Puja Immersion Carnival at Red Road on Sunday, September 5. 

According to the officials, quoted by Hindustan Times, the additional metros will run on the Blue Line (Dakshineswar-Shahid Khudiram) and Green Line (Salt Lake Sector Five-Sealdah-Howrah Maidan). These special metros will run late at night till Sunday, providing a smooth transit for those who will be returning from the Durga Puja Carnival. 

ALSO READ: What Is Cough Syrup Issue That Claimed 11 Children's Lives? What Authorities Have Done So Far | Explained

Each of these trains will run at an interval of about 20 minutes. Here’s the schedule of the special metros announced for the Blue Line and the Green Line:

Blue Line:

- Shahid Khudiram to Dakshineswar (UP): 10:03 PM, 10:23 PM, and 10:43 PM.

- Dakshineswar to Shahid Khudiram (Down): 9:53 PM, 10:13 PM, 10:33 PM.

Green Line:

- Salt Lake Sector Five to Howrah Maidan (UP): 10:20 PM, 10:40 PM, and 11:00 PM.

- Howrah Maidan to Salt Lake Sector Five (Down): 10:20 PM, 10:40 PM, and 11:00 PM.

ALSO READ: Durga Puja Idol Immersion: DCP Among Six Injured In Clash Between Two Groups During Procession in Odisha's Cuttack

Kolkata Braces For Durga Puja Carnival

The City of Joy is all set to witness the grand Durga Puja Immersion Carnival on Red Road, with 113 puja pandals set to participate in this grand procession. The parade will take place on a kilometre-long stretch between Fort William and Akashvani Bhavan. The carnival is set to become vibrant with choreographed processions, rolling tableaux, and thematic installations.

This year, the scale of the carnival is expected to be much bigger, with the number of participating clubs increasing from 89 in 2024 to 113 in 2025. The idea of the carnival was conceived in 2016 to give a proper farewell to the Durga Puja festivities after Dashami. 

ALSO READ: US Firm Fires Indian Employees Over 4-Minute Zoom Call, Internet Calls For ‘Naming And Shaming’ Company

Owing to the Durga Puja Carnival, the red road will be closed for all vehicles from midnight on October 4 to 9 AM on October 5. In a post on X, the Kolkata Police listed the roads set to be closed due to the carnival. Traffic along the AJC Bose Road from Exide Crossing to Hastings Crossing, New Road, Dufferin Road, Lovers Lane, and Red Road will be restricted from 12:00 hrs to 15:00 hrs on October 5. 

From 15:00 hrs, the existing restrictions will ease. Khidderpore Road from Hastings crossing to Lovers Lane will be closed to vehicular traffic from 14:00 hrs, except for immersion vehicles and vehicles using Vidyasagar Setu. Parking along the Chowringhee Road, JL Nehru Road, Cathedral Road, Mayo Road, Strand Road, and Hare Street will be strictly prohibited during the entire time period of the carnival. 

Under these traffic restrictions, the metro will become the lifeline for people who will visit the Immersion Carnival.