KOLKATA METRO

         Kolkata Metro is the first metro rail system employed in India and was started in the year 1984. It is a public sector undertaking organization and a rapid transit system serving the cities of Kolkata. The network currently consists of one operational line of 27.22km with five lines under construction.There are 300 metro services daily carrying over 650000 passengers making it second busiest metro system in India. On 29th December 2010, it became 17th zone of the Indian Railways. The rolling stocks of Kolkata metro uses Indian broad gauge track which is manufactured by ICF (Integral Coach Factory) and the electrical components manufactured by NGEF, Bangalore. Initially the rolling fleet was composed of 4-car rakes, with the increase in traffic 8-car formations are used now. Presently there are 18 non AC rakes and 13 AC rakes. Maximum speed of these are 55kmph and average operating is 30-31kmph. Kolkata metro has 24 stations, 15 of which are underground, 7 are elevated and 2 stations at grade. Magnetic ticketing system was used for 27years from 1984 to 2011, Kolkata metro introduced Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tokens by Centre for Railway Information from 2011.The metro rail operates between 6:45 to 21:55 hrs running every 7 minutes and 5 minutes during peak hours on weekdays. Metro runs on Sunday between 9:50 to 21:55 hrs.