Kolkata, 14 August (H.S.): West Bengal’s capital city is set to receive a significant infrastructural upgrade ahead of Durga Puja, with three new metro routes scheduled for inauguration on August 22. The new services will operate between Noapara and Jai Hind Airport station, Ruby and Beleghata, and Esplanade and Sealdah.

Among these, the Esplanade–Sealdah route is the most anticipated. Once operational, it will seamlessly connect Kolkata, Howrah, and North 24 Parganas, enabling commuters to travel from Howrah Maidan to every corner of Kolkata and from Dakshineswar to Salt Lake without interruption. Metro Railway spokesperson Rupak Mitra confirmed on Thursday that preparations for the inauguration have been completed and indicated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to inaugurate the projects.

According to sources, the Prime Minister will visit Kolkata for the occasion. The event was initially planned for August 20 but was rescheduled to August 22 due to the monsoon session of Parliament running until August 21. Modi is expected to attend two major programs during his visit: the official inauguration of the metro routes and a political rally in Dum Dum, North 24 Parganas, organized by the BJP.

The BJP’s state unit has proposed that the Prime Minister address five rallies in West Bengal over the next five months—one each month. A massive rally at Kolkata’s Brigade Parade Ground is being planned for January. Earlier this year, Modi addressed public meetings in Alipurduar in May and Durgapur in Paschim Bardhaman in July, where he launched sharp attacks on the Mamata Banerjee-led state government and the Trinamool Congress over issues such as corruption, rising crimes against women, and communal tensions in minority-dominated areas.

Party insiders say future rally locations will be strategically selected to cover key regions in both South and North Bengal, with programs planned near district borders to maximize outreach.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh