Kolkata Metro to start services from 4 a.m. on June 21 for International Yoga Day and NEET-UG exam
Kolkata, June 18
The Kolkata Metro will do what it has never done in its 42-year-old history on June 21.
It will start operations from 4 a.m.
This is being done to facilitate the movement of people to Red Road in central Kolkata, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be leading a mass yoga performance on the occasion of International Yoga Day.
The services will continue later in the day to facilitate the travel of NEET-UG 2026 candidates.
Services will run at 14-15 minute intervals in both directions, between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m., an official said.
"Services will start at 4 a.m. on the Blue Line, Green Line and Yellow Line sections. A total of 214 services (107 Up and 107 Down) will be operated in Blue Line on that day instead of the existing 152 services on Sundays," the official added.
Services from Dakshineswar to Shahid Khudiram, Noapara to Shahid Khudiram, Mahanayak Uttam Kumar to Shahid Khudiram, Shahid Khudiram to Dakshineswar, Mahanayak Uttam Kumar to Dakshineswar, Noapara to Dakshineswar, will all start at 4 a.m.
These will be on the most popular Blue Line that is the oldest of the Metro corridors in the city. This will facilitate the movement of people to Red Road from far-flung areas.
They can deboard at the Park Street or Esplanade stations and walk to Red Road.
The Green Line Section -- between Howrah Maidan and Salt Lake Sector-5 will get 173 services (87 Up and 86 Down) during the day, instead of the existing 108 services on Sundays.
Services will run at an interval of 15 minutes and 10 minutes frequency in both directions between 4 a.m. and 9 a.m. along this network.
Services from Howrah Maidan to Salt Lake Sector-V and Salt Lake Sector-V to Howrah Maidan will start at 4 a.m.
Passengers can deboard at the Esplanade station and walk to Red Road to attend the event that will also be addressed by the Prime Minister.
There is considerable enthusiasm in Kolkata about Prime Minister Modi's visit on the occasion of International Yoga Day.
The event on Red Road will be attended by West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and all members of the state Cabinet.
Several organisations have also decided to participate.
People are also expected to arrive from neighbouring districts.
The theme for this year's International Yoga Day is "Yoga for Healthy Ageing".
— IANS
Reader Comments
This is great for NEET students too! Many kids from faraway areas have to travel early for exams, and starting at 4 a.m. will really help them reach on time without stress. Appreciate the thoughtful planning. 👍
Only for VIP events, they do such arrangements. Still, it's good that people like us also get benefit. Hope the services are smooth and not too crowded. Also, wish they'd fix the AC in some old Blue Line coaches - it's suffocating in summer. 😅
I remember trying to go to an exam by bus last year at 5am in Kolkata - nightmare traffic. This metro service is a lifesaver for students and also for those who want to join the yoga event. Bengal needs more such proactive steps. Cheers to Metro Rail!
Happy to see Blue, Green and Yellow lines all working together for this. But I wish they'd also run some special trains from New Garia or other routes. Still, it's a good initiative. Just hope the crowd management at Red Road is handled well. Say no to chaos!
As someone who works near Esplanade, this is exciting! But isn't 4am a bit too early for Sunday? I get it for NEET and Yoga, but hope they don't make this regular without proper planning. Also - will the security be adequate at those early hours? Important for safety of women passengers. 💪
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