Kolkata Metro Purple Line
As of 19 Oct 2026, Kolkata Metro Purple Line is operational (since 2 Jan 2023). Latest news: 29 Sep 2026.
The Kolkata Metro Purple Line (Line 3) is a broad-gauge corridor planned from Joka to Esplanade, linking south-west Kolkata with the city centre. As of October 2026, 7.75 km with 7 elevated stations is open between Joka and Majerhat. The 7.55 km Majerhat to Esplanade extension, mostly underground, is under construction. Trains run Monday to Friday from 6:40 am, with a reduced Saturday service and none on Sunday.
Why it matters
Behala, Thakurpukur and Joka in south-west Kolkata had no metro access before this line opened, and commuters relied on buses along Diamond Harbour Road. The open section does not yet connect with any other metro line, though Majerhat links to suburban rail. Once the line reaches Esplanade it will interchange with the Blue Line at Park Street and with the Blue and Green lines at Esplanade, which will become the first Kolkata station served by three metro lines.
Key facts
- Operator: Metro Railway, Kolkata (Indian Railways); built by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL)
- Length in service: 7.75 km, 7 stations open and 5 under construction
- Status (October 2026): Partially operational (October 2026). 7.75 km with 7 elevated stations is open between Joka and Majerhat. The 7.55 km Majerhat to Esplanade extension (about 2.5 km elevated, about 5.05 km underground, 5 stations) is under construction: both tunnel drives between Khidirpur and Victoria broke through in July and August 2026. No official opening date has been announced for the Esplanade section.
- Cost: ₹2,619 crore (original approved estimate for the Joka to BBD Bag corridor; the Maidan section was later shifted underground at a much higher cost, and no revised total has been published)
- Trains: Broad-gauge AC rakes built by ICF with Medha electrics, 750 V DC third rail; maintained at Joka depot
Kolkata Metro Purple Line stations
The 12 stations below run from Joka to Esplanade. Interchanges are listed where a station connects with another line or a railway station.
| # | Station | Type | Connects to |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joka | Elevated | |
| 2 | Thakurpukur | Elevated | |
| 3 | Sakher Bazar | Elevated | |
| 4 | Behala Chowrasta | Elevated | |
| 5 | Behala Bazar | Elevated | |
| 6 | Taratala | Elevated | |
| 7 | Majerhat | Elevated | Majerhat railway station (Sealdah South suburban lines and Circular Railway) |
| 8 | Mominpur (under construction) | Elevated | |
| 9 | Khidirpur (Kidderpore) (under construction) | Underground | |
| 10 | Victoria (under construction) | Underground | |
| 11 | Park Street (under construction) | Underground | Line 1 (Blue) |
| 12 | Esplanade (under construction) | Underground | Line 1 (Blue) / Line 2 (Green) |
Sections and opening dates
| Section | Stations | km | Status | Opened or expected |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joka to Taratala | 6 | 6.5 | Operational. Inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi on 30 December 2022; commercial service from 2 January 2023 | 2023-01-02 |
| Taratala to Majerhat | 1 | 1.25 | Operational. Inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi on 6 March 2024 | 2024-03-06 |
| Majerhat to Esplanade | 5 | 7.55 | Under construction. About 2.5 km elevated (Mominpur) and about 5.05 km underground (Khidirpur to Esplanade). Twin tunnels Khidirpur to Victoria complete (August 2026) | no official date; secondary sources range from 2028 to 2030 |
Explore more
Official source: mtp.indianrailways.gov.in
Latest updates
6 tenders tracked →Phases
| Phase | Lines | Stations | Length (km) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joka to Taratala | Joka to Taratala | 6 | 6.5 | Operational. Inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi on 30 December 2022; commercial service from 2 January 2023 |
| Taratala to Majerhat | Taratala to Majerhat | 1 | 1.25 | Operational. Inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi on 6 March 2024 |
| Majerhat to Esplanade | Majerhat to Esplanade | 5 | 7.55 | Under construction. About 2.5 km elevated (Mominpur) and about 5.05 km underground (Khidirpur to Esplanade). Twin tunnels Khidirpur to Victoria complete (August 2026) |
Milestones
- Joka to Taratala section inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi
- Commercial passenger service begins on Joka to Taratala
- First trial run on the Taratala to Majerhat stretch
- Taratala to Majerhat section inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi, taking the open line to 7.75 km
- TBM Durga starts tunnelling from Khidirpur towards Victoria
- TBM Divya starts the second tunnel drive from Khidirpur
- Saturday passenger service introduced on Joka to Majerhat
- Weekday services raised to 84 a day, first train 6:40 am, last train 9:05 pm from Joka
- TBM Durga breaks through at Victoria station, completing the first Khidirpur to Victoria tunnel
- TBM Divya breaks through at Victoria after a 1.72 km drive, completing the twin tunnels
Timings
Kolkata Metro Purple Line service timings and frequency:
| Service | Time |
|---|---|
| First train from Joka (Mon to Fri) | 06:40 |
| First train from Majerhat (Mon to Fri) | 07:03 |
| Last train from Joka (Mon to Fri) | 21:05 |
| Last train from Majerhat (Mon to Fri) | 21:26 |
| Weekday services | 84 (42 each way), from 1 December 2025 |
| Saturday | 40 services, first train 13:25 from Joka, last 20:32 from Majerhat |
| Sunday | No service |
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Kolkata Metro Purple Line?
7.75 km is operational between Joka and Majerhat. The 7.55 km Majerhat to Esplanade extension is under construction, taking the corridor to about 15.3 km.
How many stations does the Purple Line have?
Seven stations are open: Joka, Thakurpukur, Sakher Bazar, Behala Chowrasta, Behala Bazar, Taratala and Majerhat. Five more, Mominpur, Khidirpur, Victoria, Park Street and Esplanade, are being built.
When did the Purple Line open?
The Joka to Taratala section was inaugurated on 30 December 2022 and opened to passengers on 2 January 2023. The Taratala to Majerhat extension was inaugurated on 6 March 2024.
What are the Purple Line timings?
On weekdays the first train leaves Joka at 6:40 am and the last at 9:05 pm, with 84 services a day since 1 December 2025. A reduced Saturday service runs in the afternoon and evening, and there is no service on Sunday.
When will the Purple Line reach Esplanade?
No official date has been announced. Twin tunnels between Khidirpur and Victoria were completed in August 2026, and tunnelling continues towards Park Street and Esplanade.
Who operates the Purple Line?
Metro Railway, Kolkata, a unit of Indian Railways, runs the line. Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) is building it.
Does the Purple Line connect with other metro lines?
Not yet. When complete it will connect with the Blue Line at Park Street and with the Blue and Green lines at Esplanade. Majerhat station links to suburban rail.
Journey Planner & Route Map
Awarded tenders & contracts
No awarded tenders or contracts recorded yet.
Ongoing tenders
Upcoming tenders
No upcoming tenders announced yet.
Bid values, closing dates and awardees are for subscribers. See plans.