Railway Minister Vaishnaw rides Kolkata Metro, auto to inspect urban transit
Synopsis
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw skipped the ministerial motorcade and took the metro and an autorickshaw through Kolkata — then announced 60 new-generation rakes and pushed for the long-stalled Barrackpore metro extension, signalling a hands-on federal push on urban transit in a politically reshaped West Bengal.
Key Takeaways
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw rode the Kolkata Metro from Jai Hind Station to Noapara Station on 6 June , then took an autorickshaw to Belghoria Expressway .
He announced the induction of 60 new-generation rakes into the Kolkata Metro network over the next four to five years .
Vaishnaw met West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari to discuss metro expansion, including the proposed Barrackpore extension.
The Barrackpore project had been stalled by the previous state government over concerns about water pipelines under B T Road ; surveys and drawings are already complete.
Metro Railway also aims to complete the Garia–Airport link via Rajarhat .
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday, 6 June boarded the Kolkata Metro at Jai Hind Station near the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International (NSCBI) Airport, travelling to Noapara Station before switching to an autorickshaw to the Belghoria Expressway. The ground-level tour, aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call to use public transport for fuel conservation, was aimed at gathering first-hand feedback on metro services and commuter experience.
On the Ground: Interactions with Passengers and Staff
During the metro journey, Vaishnaw engaged directly with fellow commuters to understand their travel experience and collect feedback on service quality. He also met with metro staff at stations, including sanitation workers, and acknowledged their contribution to maintaining cleanliness across the network. Staff members reportedly expressed satisfaction that their concerns were reaching the minister directly.
60 New-Generation Rakes for Kolkata Metro
Vaishnaw announced the induction of approximately 60 new-generation rakes into the Kolkata Metro network over the next four to five years. The modernised trains are expected to upgrade service quality and strengthen urban mobility across the city. He also commended the teams responsible for construction and operations, crediting them with the network's expansion over recent years.
Meeting with Chief Minister on Metro Expansion
The minister subsequently met West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari to discuss ongoing development projects. A key agenda item was the proposed metro extension to Barrackpore in the northern suburbs — a project for which surveys and engineering drawings have already been completed. According to officials, the previous state government had stalled the project, citing the presence of water pipelines beneath B T Road. The extension is expected to benefit thousands of daily commuters travelling from the northern suburbs into Kolkata.
Garia–Airport Link and Broader Connectivity Push
Vaishnaw also reaffirmed the priority status of the Garia–Airport link via Rajarhat, an ongoing project that Metro Railway is keen to complete. He assured full central support for further network expansion, framing these projects as critical to improving commuter convenience across the city. During his autorickshaw ride, the minister highlighted the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government's 'Fear Out, Trust In' campaign, following the party's recent return to power in West Bengal.
With new rolling stock committed and stalled projects potentially back on track, Kolkata's metro expansion outlook appears more active than it has in years.
Point of View
Part policy signal — and the timing matters. With the BJP now in power in West Bengal, projects that were reportedly blocked by the previous administration are suddenly viable again. The Barrackpore extension is a case in point: surveys done, drawings ready, yet stalled for years. The real question is whether federal momentum translates into ground-level execution, or whether this visit joins a long list of ministerial walkabouts that generated headlines but not headway. The 60-rake commitment, if delivered on schedule, would be a tangible upgrade — Kolkata Metro's rolling stock modernisation has lagged peer cities for years.
NationPress
11 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw travel by metro and autorickshaw in Kolkata?
Vaishnaw used public transport to gather first-hand feedback on metro services and to align with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call to use public transport for fuel conservation. He travelled from Jai Hind Station to Noapara Station on the metro, then took an autorickshaw to the Belghoria Expressway on 6 June.
How many new rakes will be added to the Kolkata Metro?
The Railway Minister announced the induction of approximately 60 new-generation rakes into the Kolkata Metro network over the next four to five years. The new trains are intended to modernise services and strengthen urban mobility in the city.
What is the status of the Barrackpore metro extension?
Surveys and engineering drawings for the Barrackpore metro extension are already complete. According to officials, the project was previously stalled by the former West Bengal government over concerns about water pipelines under B T Road. Vaishnaw has assured central support to revive it.
What is the Garia–Airport metro link?
The Garia–Airport link via Rajarhat is an ongoing Kolkata Metro expansion project. Metro Railway has indicated it is keen to complete this corridor, which would significantly improve east-west and north-south connectivity across the city.
Who did Vaishnaw meet during his Kolkata visit?
Vaishnaw met West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari to discuss ongoing metro development initiatives, including the Barrackpore extension and other urban connectivity projects in the state.
