Durga Puja Special: Will Metro and Trains Run All Night?

Kolkata: Pandal-hoppers in Kolkata can plan their Durga Puja outings with greater convenience this year, as Metro Railway Kolkata and Eastern Railway have announced special transport arrangements to manage the festive rush. From overnight Metro services on the Blue and Green lines to additional suburban local trains operating late into the night, the arrangements aim to make travel easier for people visiting pandals across the city and its adjoining areas. The special Metro schedule will remain in effect from October 15 to October 21, 2026, while additional suburban services under the Sealdah division will operate from October 16 to October 21.

The biggest attraction for pandal-hoppers is the overnight Metro service on the Blue and Green lines during the main Puja nights. From October 17 to October 20, trains on these two corridors will operate into the early hours of the following morning, allowing passengers to travel after midnight without having to depend entirely on road transport. The Blue Line, connecting Shahid Khudiram and Dakshineswar, will operate 248 services daily during this period, with 124 trains in each direction. Services will begin at 1 pm and continue until approximately 4 am the following morning, with trains running at six-minute intervals during peak hours. The last regular services will depart Dakshineswar towards Shahid Khudiram at 3:46 am and Shahid Khudiram towards Dakshineswar at 3:48 am. Additional trains are also scheduled to depart at 4 am towards Dum Dum and Mahanayak Uttam Kumar, respectively.

On October 15 and 16, corresponding to Maha Panchami and Maha Sasthi, the Blue Line will operate 284 services between 6 am and 11 pm. Trains will run at six-minute intervals during peak hours, with the first services departing from both Shahid Khudiram and Dakshineswar at 6 am. The last end-to-end trains will leave Dakshineswar towards Shahid Khudiram at 10:48 pm and Shahid Khudiram towards Dakshineswar at 10:50 pm. On October 21, Vijaya Dashami, the Blue Line will operate 140 services between 1 pm and 10:30 pm, with trains running at eight-minute intervals during peak hours.

The Green Line, connecting Howrah Maidan and Salt Lake Sector V, will also offer extended services during the main Puja days. From October 17 to October 20, the corridor will operate 192 services daily, beginning at 1:30 pm and continuing until approximately 4 am the next morning. The last trains will depart Howrah Maidan towards Salt Lake Sector V at 3:52 am and Salt Lake Sector V towards Howrah Maidan at 3:59 am. This will benefit passengers travelling between Howrah, central Kolkata, Sealdah and Salt Lake, including those using the corridor to connect with popular pandal-hopping destinations.

On Maha Panchami and Maha Sasthi, the Green Line will operate 240 services between 6 am and 11 pm. The first train will leave Howrah Maidan at 6 am, while the first service from Salt Lake Sector V will depart at 6:09 am. On Vijaya Dashami, October 21, the line will run 74 services between 1:30 pm and 10:30 pm, with trains operating at 15-minute intervals. Passengers should check departure times for their boarding stations before setting out, particularly if their journey involves changing between Metro corridors.

The Yellow Line, connecting Noapara and Jai Hind Bimanbandar, will also operate special services during the festive period. On October 15 and 16, it will run 120 services between 7:18 am and 9:20 pm, with trains available at 12-minute intervals during peak hours. Five direct services will also operate from Jai Hind Bimanbandar towards Shahid Khudiram. From October 17 to October 20, the line will operate 72 services daily between 3 pm and 10:53 pm. On October 21, the number of services will be reduced to 62, operating between 3 pm and 9:38 pm. Unlike the Blue and Green lines, the Yellow Line will not have overnight operations during the main Puja nights.

The Purple Line, connecting Joka and Majerhat, will operate 84 services daily on October 15 and 16, between 6:40 am and 9:26 pm. The first train from Joka towards Majerhat will depart at 6:40 am, while the first train from Majerhat towards Joka will leave at 7:03 am. During peak hours, trains will run at intervals of approximately 21 minutes. From October 17 to October 21, the corridor will operate 38 services daily between 3 pm and 10:55 pm, with trains running at intervals of approximately 25 minutes. Passengers using the Purple Line should therefore plan their return journeys before the final service.

There is an important update for passengers using the Orange Line, which connects Kavi Subhash and Beleghata. The corridor will operate 62 services on October 15 and 16, between 7:40 am and 8:45 pm, with trains running at intervals of approximately 25 minutes. However, Metro services on the Orange Line will remain suspended from October 17 to October 21. Commuters travelling along this route during those dates should make alternative arrangements and check the latest official Metro announcements before leaving home.

Apart from the Metro arrangements, Eastern Railway has announced 51 special EMU local train services under its Sealdah division to handle the expected increase in passenger traffic. These services will operate from October 16 to October 21 and include 38 overnight services scheduled between 11 pm and 5 am, along with 13 additional services during evening peak hours. The additional trains will cover the Sealdah Main, North and South sections, helping passengers travelling to and from suburban areas after late-night pandal visits.

Eastern Railway has also announced passenger-friendly measures to improve suburban connectivity during the festival. According to reports, all galloping EMU local trains departing their respective originating stations after 2 pm during the Puja period will stop at every station. This is expected to benefit commuters travelling from smaller stations that may otherwise be bypassed by faster services. The railway has also arranged additional long-distance special train trips during the festive period to accommodate increased travel demand.

To manage the expected crowds, Sealdah station will have designated entry and exit arrangements, round-the-clock monitoring through a dedicated control room, CCTV surveillance, passenger help desks and medical facilities. Additional toilet facilities and standby train rakes are also part of the reported arrangements. These measures are intended to improve crowd management and help railway staff respond quickly to passenger requirements during the busy festival period.

For pandal-hoppers, the most important thing to remember is that extended Metro services do not mean every corridor will run throughout the night. Only the Blue and Green lines are scheduled for overnight operations during the main Puja nights, while the Yellow and Purple lines will stop earlier and the Orange Line will remain suspended from October 17 to October 21. Similarly, suburban special train timings and stopping patterns may vary by route.

Passengers are advised to check the latest notices issued by Metro Railway Kolkata and Eastern Railway before travelling, confirm the last train from their boarding station and allow sufficient time for transfers. The AAMAR KOLKATA METRO app can also be used for Metro ticketing. With additional Metro and suburban railway services planned, commuters can prepare their journeys in advance and spend more time enjoying the festivities rather than worrying about getting home.

Stay tuned to News Tap One for the latest Kolkata Metro updates, Puja special train announcements and Durga Puja travel information.