Kolkata Metro to impose Rs 10 surcharge on tickets for night services – Infrastructure News

Kolkata Metro will introduce a surcharge of Rs 10 on tickets of its night train operating on the Dum Dum-New Garia corridor, from December 10, an official said. The surcharge will apply evenly, regardless of the distance traveled.

The night train, which runs in both directions at 10:40 p.m., has experienced low occupancy rates, prompting this decision. The supplement aims to compensate for operational costs because attendance at this service remains very low, explained the manager.

The Kolkata Metro night service was introduced to provide night connectivity along one of its busiest routes. However, the lack of passenger numbers has led to financial difficulties in maintaining the service without additional costs.

The surcharge initiative is part of an effort to maintain the viability of the night train while ensuring the availability of this essential service for passengers. Regular daytime rates will remain unchanged.

A few days ago, at Mahatma Gandhi Road station, Kolkata Metro engineers successfully replaced the steel energy-efficient aluminum third rail on November 30, 2024. This upgrade is part of an effort to modernize the 40-year-old Blue Line. The Ministry of Railways has sanctioned Rs. 113 crore in 2022-23 to replace 34 km of steel rails across the corridor. Contracts have been awarded to the Indian subsidiary of the REHAU group, guaranteeing more than 60% local supply. The third aluminum rail, already implemented in the new metro corridors, marks a move towards energy efficiency and aligns with green energy goals.