Line 1 (Blue Line) is a rapid transit metro line of the Kolkata Metro in Kolkata, West Bengal, India. It consists of 26 operational stations from Dakshineswar to Kavi Subhash, out of which 9 of the stations are elevated, 2 are at-grade and the remaining 15 are underground. With a total distance of 32.13 km (19.96 mi), the line connects Dakshineswar and New Garia and uses 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) broad gauge tracks. This line was the first underground railway to be built in India, with the first operations commencing in October 1984 and the full stretch that was initially planned being operational by February 1995. On 28 December 2010, Kolkata Metro became the 17th zone of the Indian Railways.[2] Being the country's first, and a completely indigenous process, the construction of the Kolkata Metro Line 1 was more of a trial-and-error affair, in contrast to the Delhi Metro, which has seen the involvement of numerous international consultants. As a result, it took nearly 23 years to completely construct around 15 km (9.3 mi) underground railway from Birpara up to Tollygunge.
It connects Line 2 at Esplanade and Line 6 at Kavi Subhash, and will eventually connect Line 3 at Esplanade and Park Street, Line 4 at Noapara and Line 5 at Baranagar. Public transport experts have suggested that the line be extended from Dakshineswar to Bally (where it can connect with Howrah Division of Kolkata Suburban Railway) and eventually to Dankuni, an emerging industrial hub of Kolkata metropolitan region.
- ^ Kolkata Metro (1 January 2024). "North-South Metro Carried More Than 17 Crores Passengers in 2023".
- ^ "Kolkata Metro is now the 17th zone of Indian Railways". The Times of India. 29 December 2010. Archived from the original on 4 November 2012. Retrieved 29 December 2010.