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As Kolkata gears up for the vibrant Durga Puja festivities starting September 28, 2025, the Kolkata Metro Railway has introduced a special Tourist Smart Card designed to offer unlimited metro rides over the festival duration. Aimed at managing the influx of visitors and easing travel during the peak festivities, this card promises a seamless and cost-effective travel experience across the expanded metro network.
Key Highlights Of The Tourist Smart Card Initiative
The Tourist Smart Card offers unlimited travel within Kolkata’s metro network for three days at Rs 250 and five days at Rs 550, purchasable at all metro station booking counters.
With the metro’s daily footfall expected to reach 11-12 lakh passengers during Durga Puja, the card simplifies travel for tourists, pandal-hoppers, and local commuters by avoiding repeated token queues and recharge hassles.
Unlike regular pay-as-you-go smart cards, this card provides unrestricted journeys within its validity, making it a popular choice for festival visitors.
The Kolkata Metro also continues to offer a 5% fare rebate for regular Smart Card and mobile QR ticket users to encourage digitized travel.
Since early September, over 24,000 smartcards have been sold, and more than 4.5 lakh QR mobile tickets booked, reflecting growing adoption of digital ticketing options.
Special Arrangement During Mahalaya
The Kolkata Metro will boost services from Mahalaya day (September 21) with 182 trains on the Blue Line alone, up from the usual 130 trains on Sundays.
Early morning services from major stations like Noapara, Dakshineswar, and Dum Dum start at approximately 6:50 am, with last train timings remaining unchanged.
Enhanced train frequency aims to accommodate the rising number of devotees and ensure smooth transit to key Puja venues and pandal locations.
Benefits For Visitors And Residents
The Tourist Smart Card’s convenience and affordability make it an ideal travel companion for tourists unfamiliar with Kolkata’s metro system, while locals benefit from reduced crowding at ticket counters. The initiative is expected to strengthen Kolkata’s reputation as a festival-friendly city with advanced public transport solutions.
Visitors can hop on and off freely without worrying about multiple fare calculations or delays.
The card encourages environment-friendly public transport use, reducing traffic congestion expected during Puja.
Easy availability and clear instructions at metro stations and official apps support first-time users.
Looking Forward To A Fun & Smooth Puja Season
As Durga Puja draws closer, Kolkata Metro Railway encourages all commuters to embrace digital ticketing and the Tourist Smart Card for a hassle-free experience. With crowd management, increased train services, and smart travel options in place, the city anticipates welcoming millions of devotees and tourists, ensuring joyous celebrations marked by efficient mobility.
Sources: The Telegraph India, NDTV, Indian Express, Moneycontrol, News18
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