Kolkata: With Metro becoming an alternative and fast mode of transportation for pandal hoppers wishing to skip traffic and weather conditions, the authorities have started gearing up for the expected rush at different Metro stations of both North-South and East-West Metro Stations during Durga Puja.
A few days ahead of Puja, the daily footfalls in Metro are already nearing the seven-lakh mark with a surge in footfall across two lines. Despite the India-Pakistan World Cup cricket match, Dum Dum Metro Station recorded a footfall of approximately 40,000 till 5 pm on Saturday, the Metro authorities stated.
Metro will be running night long service on Saptami, Ashtami and Navami in North-South Corridor, while services will be available till midnight in East-West Corridor. Additional staff will be deployed at various stations and additional counters will be opened at Dakshineswar, Dum Dum, Sovabazar-Sutanuti, Kalighat, Rabindra Sarobar and Gitanjali Metro Stations.
These are all stations which are at closer proximity with some of the famous pandals in the city. For instance, pandal hoppers can get down at Dum Dum Metro Station and visit Durga Puja of Dumdum Park Tarun Sangha, Sinthee More Bandhudal Sporting Club and Dumdum Park Yubak Brinda. From Belgachia station, they can visit Tala Park Prottoy, Sree Bhumi Sporting Club and AK Block Association.
Pandal hoppers can get down at Sovabazar-Sutanuti and visit Puja at Kumartuli and Manicktala Chaltabagan Lohapatty Durga Puja. From Mahatma Gandhi station, pandals at College Square and Mohammad Ali Park are located at a walking distance. The South Kolkata pujas, including Bhawanipur 75 Palli and Maddox Square can be visited from Netaji Bhavan Metro Station, Ekdalia Evergreen and Samaj Sebi Sangha from Kalighat Metro, and Suruchi Sangha from Rabindra Sarovar.
To cater to the surging demands of tokens and smart cards, a total of 180 ticket booking counters will be opened in the North-South Corridor during service hours on
those days.