Kolkata: With the maiden underwater Metro Rail commercial services, connecting this metropolis with Howrah commencing on Friday, the authorities have decided to introduce the integrated ticketing system simultaneously from March 15 for the convenience of the commuters, Kolkata Metro said on Thursday.
” The metro services on the three newly inaugurated stretches of Green Line, Orange Line, and Purple Line are going to start from March15 morning much to the delight of the residents of Kolkata and adjoining areas,” a Kolkata Metro release said.
” Integrated Ticketing System (ITS) will be in place so that any commuter can switch to any corridor (Green, Blue, and Orange) through the interchanging stations (Esplanade and Kavi Subhash) by purchasing tickets once.This integrated ticket will be sold from the counters only.
No Integrated Tickets will be sold from the ASCRM machines of any station of Green Line, Blue Line, and Orange Line. AFC-PC gates of all the stations have been upgraded accordingly. At present, no integrated ticket for the Purple Line will be sold,’ the release said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 6 unveiled India’s first underwater rail service and took a 4.8 km ride to revolutionize the existing snail-pace traffic system linking this city with Howrah, the gateway of Kolkata and one of India’s oldest busy Indian Railways junctions.
” The Howrah Maidan -Esplanade underwater Metro Section marks a significant milestone, reaffirming India’s prowess in urban infrastructure on the global platform. This pivotal link between the suburban expanse of Howrah and the heart of Kolkata is poised to ignite inclusive development and fortify economic foundations within the region,” Knight Frank India’s senior director Abhijit Das opined.
” In parallel with numerous notable infrastructure endeavours worldwide, it is foreseen that this metro line will not only enhance accessibility to previously untapped locales but also stimulate diversified economic growth. Kolkata, serves as the gateway market to the northeast, an area witnessing rapid development in logistics, warehousing, industrial sectors, and burgeoning tourism, stands to benefit immensely” he said.
