Kolkata, 19 June (H.S.): Kolkata Metro has announced special early-morning services on June 21 to facilitate commuters attending International Yoga Day events and candidates appearing for the NEET-UG examination. Metro services on select corridors will begin as early as 4 a.m., although the timing of the last trains will remain unchanged.

The special arrangements have been made in view of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s participation in the International Yoga Day programme at Red Road, which is expected to attract a large gathering. The simultaneous conduct of the NEET-UG examination is also likely to increase passenger traffic across the city.

On the Blue Line, a total of 214 metro services (107 up and 107 down) will be operated against the usual 152 services on Sundays. From 4 a.m. to 8 a.m., trains will run at intervals of 14 to 15 minutes in both directions.

The first services on the Blue Line will commence at 4 a.m. from Dakshineswar to Shahid Khudiram, Noapara to Shahid Khudiram, Mahanayak Uttam Kumar to Shahid Khudiram, Shahid Khudiram to Dakshineswar, Mahanayak Uttam Kumar to Dakshineswar, and Noapara to Dakshineswar.

On the Green Line, Kolkata Metro will operate 173 services (87 up and 86 down), compared to the usual 108 services on Sundays. Between 4 a.m. and 9 a.m., trains will run at intervals of 10 to 15 minutes. The first train from Howrah Maidan to Salt Lake Sector V will depart at 4 a.m., while the first service from Salt Lake Sector V to Howrah Maidan will begin at 4:02 a.m.

The Yellow Line will see 112 services (56 up and 56 down), replacing the regular 78 Sunday services. Trains will operate at intervals of 18 to 20 minutes from 4:18 a.m. to 9 a.m. The first train from Noapara to Jai Hind Airport Station will depart at 4:18 a.m., while the first service from Jai Hind Airport to Noapara will leave at 4:40 a.m.

Metro Railway authorities have clarified that no services will operate on the Purple Line and Orange Line on June 21.

According to Metro officials, the special arrangements have been introduced to ensure smooth and convenient travel for participants of the International Yoga Day celebrations and candidates appearing for the NEET-UG examination. The enhanced services are expected to ease commuter movement during the early hours of the day and help manage the anticipated surge in passenger traffic.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey