Kolkata Metro boosts services with overnight operations for seamless Durga Puja travel, but halts Orange line functions

As Kolkata transforms into a kaleidoscope of glittering pandals and rhythmic dhak beats from September 27 to October 2, 2025, the city's Metro Railway is rolling out a lifeline for pandal-hoppers with extended night services on the Blue and Green Lines during the heart-pounding Saptami, Ashtami, and Navami—running till 4 a.m. to capture every moment of the goddess's triumphant homecoming.

This strategic surge, announced amid the pre-Puja buzz, promises 246 daily services on the Blue Line (123 up and 123 down) from 1 p.m. to 4 a.m., and 192 on the Green Line (97 up and 95 down) from 1:30 p.m. to 4:18 a.m., all at a zippy 6-8 minute peak frequency to whisk devotees from Dakshineswar's sacred shores to Shahid Khudiram's vibrant hubs without missing a single aarti. Complementing the chaos of recent heavy rains that tested the city's resilience, these all-nighters ensure safe, swift commutes, letting families savor sandhya aarati under the stars while the Orange Line takes Puja break.

The festivities kicks off strong on Panchami (September 27), a Saturday prelude where the Blue Line ramps up to 262 services (131 up and 131 down) from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., with first trains departing Shahid Khudiram, Mahanayak Uttam Kumar, Dakshineswar, and Noapara all at 8 a.m., and the last ones wrapping by 11 p.m. towards Dum Dum. It's a gentle warm-up, targeting 6-7 minute intervals during rush hours to ferry early bird Puja shoppers and setup crews across the North-South corridor.

Meanwhile, the Green Line joins the fray with 225 services (114 up and 111 down) from 7:30 a.m. to 11:16 p.m., starting from Howrah Maidan to Salt Lake Sector V, ensuring east-west connectivity for those bridging the Hooghly's banks to IT hubs.

The Yellow Line chimes in modestly with 60 services (30 up and 30 down) from 3 p.m. to 10:35 p.m. between Noapara and Jai Hind Bimanbandar, while the Purple Line holds steady at 38 daily runs (19 up and 19 down) from 3 p.m. to 10:55 p.m. on the Joka-Majerhat stretch— a nod to south Kolkata's growing network.

Sasthi on September 28 shifts gears into Sunday mode, dialing back slightly for a more leisurely vibe but still packing punch: the Blue Line offers 246 services from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., with inaugural rides at 9 a.m. from key endpoints and closers around 11 p.m., maintaining that 6-7 minute pulse to handle the influx of out-of-towners arriving for bodhon rituals. The Green Line mirrors the energy with 184 services (92 up and 92 down) from 9 a.m. to 11:28 p.m., first trains at 9 a.m. and 9:02 a.m., wrapping up just after 11 p.m. to let revelers return from initial pandal visits. Yellow and Purple Lines stay consistent, providing 60 and 38 services respectively in their afternoon-to-evening windows, ensuring no corner of the city feels left out as idols come alive under colorful canopies.

But the real showstopper unfolds from Saptami through Navami—September 29 to October 1—when the Blue and Green Lines morph into nocturnal lifelines, operating from early afternoon till the wee hours of the next day. Blue Line faithfuls can board from 1 p.m. at Shahid Khudiram, Gitanjali, Mahanayak Uttam Kumar, Dakshineswar, Dum Dum, Shyambazar, and Noapara, with the final calls at 3:47 a.m. from Shahid Khudiram to Dakshineswar and 4 a.m. to Dum Dum, perfect for those all-night vigils at Kumartuli or late-night feasts. Green Line extends the courtesy from 1:30 p.m. at Howrah Maidan and Salt Lake Sector V, chugging till 4:06 a.m. and 4:18 a.m., bridging the festive frenzy across the river. Yellow Line ups the ante to 62 services from 3 p.m. to 10:50 p.m., and Purple Line remains the reliable 38-run workhorse—all at 15-25 minute intervals to keep the momentum without overwhelming the tracks.

Dashami on October 2 brings a bittersweet wind-down, with Blue Line scaling to 132 services (66 up and 66 down) from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. at 8-minute peaks, first trains at 1 p.m. from Shahid Khudiram and Dum Dum, and last at 10 p.m. to Dum Dum—easing the visarjan crowds safely home. Green Line trims to 74 services (37 up and 37 down) from 1:30 p.m. to 10:32 p.m. at 15-minute gaps, while Yellow and Purple Lines close at 50 and 38 services respectively, wrapping by 9:20 p.m. and 10:55 p.m. It's a graceful exit, allowing the city to immerse in immersion processions without transit woes. Notably, the Orange Line bows out entirely from September 27 to October 2, redirecting focus to the busier arteries.

In a city where Durga Puja isn't just a festival but a pulsating heartbeat, these tailored Metro schedules are more than logistics—they're the unsung heroes enabling Kolkata's magic, from dawn dhunuchi dances to midnight mela munchies. Amid whispers of Tourist Smart Cards for unlimited rides (Rs 250 for three days, Rs 550 for five) and digital ticketing rebates, the system smartly anticipates the surge, urging app-savvy commuters to skip queues via Aamar Kolkata Metro. As recent downpours remind us of nature's whims, these extended runs promise resilience, ensuring every devotee steps into the divine without a hitch.