Kolkata Metro launches QR ticket scanning and Paytm booking for Durga Puja rush
Synopsis
Kolkata Metro has quietly solved one of the biggest festival-travel headaches — the booking-counter queue. By placing QR stickers at 10 stations that require no app download, it has opened cashless ticketing to the millions of occasional Durga Puja pandal hoppers who neither carry smart cards nor have the Metro app. Add Paytm integration and nightlong Blue and Green Line services, and the city's metro is as Puja-ready as it has ever been.
Key Takeaways
Kolkata Metro launched app-free QR code ticket scanning at 10 stations on 14 October 2026 .
Commuters can now also buy tickets via the Paytm app, in addition to the AAMAR KOLKATA METRO app.
The initiative was launched by General Manager Prem Sagar Gupta at Park Street station .
Nightlong services will operate on three days along the Blue and Green lines during Durga Puja.
Anti-sabotage teams , sniffer dogs, and constant RPF patrols will be deployed for passenger safety, with special focus on women commuters.
The QR facility will be extended to all other corridors soon, according to officials.
Kolkata Metro on Wednesday, 14 October 2026 rolled out two new ticketing initiatives — app-free QR code scanning at select stations and Paytm-enabled ticket purchases — giving millions of commuters a faster, queue-free way to board trains ahead of the Durga Puja festival surge. The facilities were officially launched by Metro Railway General Manager Prem Sagar Gupta at Park Street station.
QR Code Ticketing: How It Works
Commuters can now scan QR image stickers affixed at metro stations to purchase tickets directly — no app download required. The facility is currently live at 10 stations: Esplanade, Dumdum, Dakshineswar, Rabindra Sarobar, Mahanayak Uttam Kumar, Kalighat, Howrah, Sealdah, Sovabazar-Sutanuti, Salt Lake Sector V, and Dumdum Cantonment. According to a senior Metro Railway official, the rollout will be extended to all corridors shortly.
This development is a particular relief for pandal hoppers who are not regular metro users and neither possess smart cards nor have the AAMAR KOLKATA METRO app installed. These travellers previously had no option but to queue at booking counters — a pain point that intensifies dramatically during the Puja holidays.
Paytm Integration Expands Payment Options
Under the second initiative, commuters can now buy tickets from any station to their destination using the Paytm app, in addition to the existing AAMAR KOLKATA METRO app. The chief operations officer of Paytm was present at the launch alongside his team. General Manager Gupta noted that both new facilities are designed to help commuters purchase tickets 'quickly and conveniently without standing in long queues and save their valuable time.'
Durga Puja Operations: Nightlong Services and Security Boost
Metro Railway is preparing for a significant spike in ridership during Durga Puja. Nightlong services will run on three days along the Blue and Green lines. Security arrangements have been substantially reinforced following coordination meetings involving Kolkata Police, the Railway Protection Force (RPF), and Metro Railway Police. Joint inspections have already been conducted across the network.
According to an official, special anti-sabotage teams equipped with specialised gear and sniffer dogs will be deployed. Both male and female RPF personnel will patrol trains and platforms continuously. 'No eve-teasing or molestation attempt will be tolerated. Teams will also be travelling on trains,' the official said.
Technical Readiness and CCTV Surveillance
Live CCTV footage will be monitored around the clock from security control rooms that remain in direct contact with ground teams. Dedicated technical teams will be stationed at strategic locations to resolve any service glitches swiftly. Metro Railway has stressed that any disruption can trigger dangerous overcrowding at stations and is taking proactive steps to prevent that scenario.
With both new ticketing tools now in place and security protocols activated, Kolkata Metro is positioning itself as the preferred, hassle-free travel option for the city's biggest festival season.
Point of View
When the most occasional users show up. Kolkata Metro is learning from the friction of past Puja seasons. The real test is execution at scale: QR sticker readability under crowded-station conditions and Paytm server loads on high-traffic nights will determine whether this is a genuine upgrade or a well-intentioned launch that jams on the first night of Puja. The security framework — with anti-sabotage teams and real-time CCTV monitoring — is also notable; it signals that Metro Railway is treating crowd safety as an operational risk, not an afterthought.
NationPress
14 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I buy a Kolkata Metro ticket without downloading an app?
You can scan QR image stickers available at participating metro stations using your phone's default camera or any UPI-enabled payment app — no separate app download is needed. The facility is currently live at 10 stations including Esplanade, Howrah, Sealdah, and Salt Lake Sector V, and will be extended to other corridors soon.
Which stations have the new QR ticketing facility in Kolkata Metro?
The QR code ticketing facility is currently available at Esplanade, Dumdum, Dakshineswar, Rabindra Sarobar, Mahanayak Uttam Kumar, Kalighat, Howrah, Sealdah, Sovabazar-Sutanuti, Salt Lake Sector V , and Dumdum Cantonment . Metro Railway officials have confirmed the rollout will cover all corridors in the coming weeks.
Can I buy Kolkata Metro tickets using Paytm?
Yes. As of 14 October 2026 , commuters can purchase metro tickets from any station to their destination using the Paytm app, in addition to the existing AAMAR KOLKATA METRO app. The integration was launched at Park Street station by General Manager Prem Sagar Gupta.
Will Kolkata Metro run special services during Durga Puja 2026?
Kolkata Metro plans nightlong services on three days along the Blue and Green lines during Durga Puja to accommodate the surge in pandal-hopping commuters. Exact dates for the nightlong operations have not yet been specified in the official announcement.
What security measures has Kolkata Metro planned for Durga Puja?
Metro Railway has deployed anti-sabotage teams with specialised equipment and sniffer dogs, continuous patrols by male and female RPF personnel on trains and platforms, and round-the-clock CCTV monitoring from central security control rooms. Special focus has been placed on the safety of women commuters, with zero tolerance declared for eve-teasing or molestation.
