PM Modi inaugurates 13.61 km of new Kolkata Metro sections and lays foundation of 7.2 km Kona Expressway
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of projects worth over ₹5,200 crore in Kolkata on 22 August 2025, including 13.61 km of new metro network and the 7.2 km six-lane elevated Kona Expressway.
Summary
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of development projects worth over ₹5,200 crore in Kolkata, West Bengal, on 22 August 2025. A 13.61 km newly constructed metro network was inaugurated, and the Prime Minister flagged off the Noapara–Jai Hind Bimanbandar metro service from Jessore Road station and, by video conferencing, the Sealdah–Esplanade and Beleghata–Hemanta Mukhopadhyay services. The Sealdah–Esplanade metro cuts travel time between the two points from nearly 40 minutes to 11 minutes, and a new subway at Howrah Metro Station was also inaugurated. The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of the 7.2 km six-lane elevated Kona Expressway worth over ₹1,200 crore, linking Howrah and surrounding areas with Kolkata. He said India now has the world's third-largest metro network.
Key facts
- Date / place
- 22 Aug 2025, Kolkata, West Bengal
- Total value
- Over ₹5,200 crore
- New metro
- 13.61 km network; about 14 km of new lines and seven new stations
- Services
- Noapara–Jai Hind Bimanbandar; Sealdah–Esplanade; Beleghata–Hemanta Mukhopadhyay
- Time saving
- Sealdah–Esplanade: about 40 minutes to 11 minutes
- Also
- Subway at Howrah Metro Station
- Kona Expressway
- 7.2 km six-lane elevated, over ₹1,200 crore (foundation stone)
- Claim
- India has world's third-largest metro network
Practice MCQs 4 questions
The Sealdah–Esplanade metro service flagged off on 22 August 2025 reduces travel time between the two points from nearly 40 minutes to how many minutes?
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Correct answer: A — 11 minutes
The PIB release states that the Sealdah–Esplanade metro reduces travel time from nearly 40 minutes to only 11 minutes.
What is the length of the six-lane elevated Kona Expressway whose foundation stone PM Modi laid in Kolkata on 22 August 2025?
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Correct answer: D — 7.2 km
The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of the 7.2 km long six-lane elevated Kona Expressway worth over ₹1,200 crore.
At the Kolkata event on 22 August 2025, PM Modi said India's metro network now ranks at which position in the world?
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Correct answer: B — Third-largest
Shri Modi expressed pride that India now has the world's third-largest metro network.
Consider the following statements about the Kolkata projects of 22 August 2025: 1. About 14 km of new lines and seven new stations were being added to the Kolkata Metro. 2. The Kona Expressway is planned as a four-lane at-grade highway. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct: the Prime Minister said approximately 14 km of new lines and seven new stations were being added to Kolkata Metro. Statement 2 is incorrect: the Kona Expressway is a six-lane elevated expressway.