Under-the-Hooghly Metro Ride

গঙ্গার নিচে মেট্রো

Also known as Green Line, Esplanade to Howrah Maidan.

Ride India’s first metro under a river, from Esplanade to Howrah.

About Under-the-Hooghly Metro Ride

In March 2024 the Green Line opened between Esplanade and Howrah Maidan, running in twin tunnels beneath the Hooghly: the first river crossing by metro in India. The trip takes a few minutes, with stops at Mahakaran and at Howrah, which is one of the deepest metro stations in the country. India’s first metro also began in this city, in 1984.

Why visit

A two-station ride that swaps a ferry crossing for a tunnel under the river.

What to see and do

The blue-lit stretch that marks the river section
The deep escalators of Howrah station

Plan your visit

Area: Esplanade & New Market, Central Kolkata
Nearest landmark: Esplanade metro station
Best time: Morning or afternoon. October to March is the most comfortable time of year.
Time needed: About 30 minutes
Cost: Usually under ₹100 a head
Entry: Open to the public with a ticket. An ordinary public metro journey. Train timings are published by Kolkata Metro.
Metro: Esplanade (Blue and Green Lines)
Walking: Little walking
Accessibility: Stations on this line have lifts and escalators.
Photography: Photography is fine with some care.

Tip

Buy an ordinary ticket at Esplanade. Avoid office rush hours if you want to look around.

Nearby and related places

Rail Museum, Howrah: Old locomotives and a toy train beside Howrah station.
Kolkata Tram: The last tramway in India, running since 1873.
Howrah Bridge: The cantilever bridge that is the city’s emblem.
Dacres Lane: The office district’s lunch alley.
New Market (Hogg Market): A Victorian market hall of 1874 with a clock tower.
Nizam’s: The restaurant credited with inventing the kathi roll.

More guides

Last checked on 2026-10-02. Each place was checked to exist and its position confirmed. Timings, closing days and ticket prices are shown only where known and can change: confirm before you travel.