Kolkata Metro turns 35

Kolkata: Kolkata Metro Railway, the first Metro rail service in India, turned 35 on Thursday.

"Today (October 25) Metro Railway completed its 35th glorious year in the service of the nation. On this day in 1984, the first Metro of the country started its first commercial service from Esplanade to Bhowanipur (now Netaji Bhavan). The first train had consisted of 4 coaches only," said an official of Kolkata Metro Railway.

To commemorate the historical event, a function was organised at Kalighat Metro station, where Kolkata Metro Railway General Manager Suneet Sharma was present along with other senior officers, staff and commuters.

Sharma thanked the Metro officers and staff for their contribution in making Kolkata Metro the 'Lifeline of the City' and urged them to work with more dedication in sustaining the glorious image of Kolkata Metro. He also thanked the Metro commuters for their cooperation and hoped it would continue in the coming days to enable Kolkata Metro to grow further.

Driving motorman S K Sil and conducting motorman T K Nath of the first Metro and Esplanade station master A K Satpati recalled their experience of the maiden run on the occasion.

Nath narrated the keenness of thousands of people who were waiting for a long time to board the Metro rake on that day.

Kolkata Metro Railway is the sixth longest operational Metro network in India after the Delhi Metro, Hyderabad Metro, Chennai Metro, Namma Metro and Noida Metro. At present, the network consists of one operational line of 27.22 km from Noapara to Kavi Subhash.