Kolkata Metropolitan’s Metro System Proves Vital in Face of Clashes
The East-West Metro in Kolkata has once again demonstrated its significance as a vital lifeline for commuters amid ongoing clashes between police and protestors. As tensions erupted on the streets of Kolkata, the metro quickly stepped up to ferry passengers underground, ensuring the smooth and safe transportation of thousands of people. This move came as road transport on the Howrah side of the river came to a complete halt due to the ‘Chhatra Samaj’ protests, leaving commuters with no alternative for crossing the Hooghly River.
Unprecedented Daily Ridership on the East-West Metro Corridor
Despite the disruptions caused by the protests, the Esplanade-Howrah Maidan section of the East-West Metro saw a remarkable surge in ridership. By 5 pm, over 47,000 passengers had been transported, surpassing its average daily ridership since its launch in March. In fact, metro officials anticipate that the total ridership for the day will exceed the previous record of 70,000 passengers, set on the corridor’s opening day.
The North-South Metro Proves its Reliability
Not only did the East-West Metro rise to the occasion, but the North-South Metro also played a crucial role in keeping the city’s transport network running. By 5 pm, the North-South Metro carried approximately 3 lakh passengers, nearing its usual daily ridership of 5 lakhs. The metros became the primary mode of transportation for commuters traveling between Kolkata and Howrah, helping to bridge the gap caused by the transportation shutdown on the Howrah side of the river.
Impact on Commuters and Their Experience
The protests and subsequent closure of road transport had a significant impact on the lives of commuters. From the early morning, individuals from both cities flocked to the metro stations, fully aware that it was their only means of crossing the Hooghly River. Many relied on the metro to get to Kolkata for work. However, as the day wore on, they found themselves stranded without any other transport options available in the evening.
Despite these inconveniences, commuters expressed deep gratitude for the metro, recognizing the crucial role it played during the crisis. One resident from Kalighat, S K Das, aged 72, shared, “If it hadn’t been for the new metro, we would have missed the Rajdhani Express.” Another commuter, Nirmal Das, a Mecheda resident working at the Esplanade post office, recounted his experience of traveling on the under-river metro with mixed emotions. He had planned to try the new metro line, but the protests forced him to utilize it sooner than expected.
The Importance of Kolkata’s Metro System in Times of Crisis
The events of the day underscore the critical role of Kolkata’s metro system in ensuring connectivity during times of crisis. When all other transport options fail, the metro system proves to be a reliable and essential service for commuters. With its capacity to transport thousands of people quickly and efficiently, the metro has proven time and again its significance in maintaining the flow of daily life in Kolkata.
As the protests subside and normalcy returns, the metro will continue to play a fundamental role, keeping the city seamlessly connected. With ongoing expansions and improvements to both the East-West and North-South Metro, Kolkata’s transport infrastructure looks set to grow stronger and better equipped to handle any challenges that may arise in the future.
