Kolkata: Kolkata Metro witnessed a record surge in passenger traffic during Durga Puja 2026, as lakhs of people relied on the city's metro network to travel between pandals and other festive destinations.
According to figures released by Metro Railway on October 22, a total of 61.51 lakh passengers travelled across the metro network from Maha Panchami to Vijaya Dashami, covering a six-day period. The figure represents an increase of approximately 32 per cent compared with the 46.56 lakh passengers recorded during the corresponding festival period in 2025.
One of the biggest highlights came on Maha Sasthi, October 16, when 12.01 lakh passengers used Kolkata Metro services in a single day. Metro officials described this as the highest daily passenger count in the network's history.
Among individual stations, Dum Dum recorded the highest passenger movement during the six-day festive period, with more than 4.97 lakh passengers. Kalighat followed with over 4.83 lakh, while Sealdah registered more than 4.19 lakh passengers.
The heavy rush reflected the growing preference for metro services among residents and visitors travelling across Kolkata to explore popular Durga Puja pandals. The expanding metro network has also improved connectivity between different parts of the city and its surrounding areas.
To accommodate the festive rush, Metro Railway operated overnight services on the Blue and Green lines during key Puja nights and arranged additional train services on other corridors.
Authorities also deployed additional personnel at busy stations, with the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and state police assisting with passenger safety and crowd control. CCTV surveillance was used to monitor crowd movement, while medical booths staffed by doctors and paramedical personnel were established at important stations to respond to emergencies.
Senior metro officials, including General Manager Prem Sagar Gupta, visited stations and travelled on trains to review operations during the festival.
The record passenger figures underline Kolkata Metro's important role in managing transportation demand during one of West Bengal's busiest annual celebrations. The rise in ridership also highlights the need for continued investment in efficient services, station management and passenger safety during major public events.
