Calcutta High Court orders Kolkata metro to extend last service timing

• Calcutta High Court issues directive to Kolkata Metro Rail to consider extending timing of last metro service
• Public interest case filed highlighting inconvenience faced by passengers due to early cessation of metro services
• Chief Justice emphasizes importance of plea, urges Metro to prioritize passenger needs

The Calcutta High Court has issued a significant directive to the Kolkata Metro Rail, urging them to extend the timing of the last metro service. This development comes in response to a public interest case filed by Akash Sharma, highlighting the inconvenience faced by passengers due to the early cessation of metro services.

The Kolkata Metro, often hailed as the lifeline of the city, serves as a vital mode of transportation for countless individuals, including commuters from neighboring districts. However, the discontinuation of metro services at night poses challenges for passengers, especially those accustomed to the efficiency and speed of metro travel. Recognizing the widespread impact of this issue, the High Court, led by Chief Justice TS Shivagnam and Justice Hiranmoy Bhattacharya, emphasized the need for the Kolkata Metro Rail to consider extending the timing of the last metro service.

In response to the petition, Chief Justice TS Shivagnam emphasized the importance of the plea, stating, "This is a very necessary plea. Metro should consider this for the sake of passengers." Despite the acknowledgment of technical challenges by the Metro Rail Authority, the court's directive underscores the imperative of addressing passenger needs. With the court disposing of the case and stipulating a four-week timeline for the Metro Rail Authority to communicate their decision, the spotlight now shifts to whether the metro authorities will heed the court's order and extend the timing of the last metro service, thereby alleviating the inconvenience faced by countless commuters.