Which Indian city was the first in the country to introduce a metro rail service?
Kolkata was the first Indian city to introduce a metro rail service. The Kolkata Metro began commercial operations on 24 October 1984, making it the first operational metro railway system in India. The initial service covered a stretch between Esplanade and Bhowanipore, now known as Netaji Bhavan, as part of the North–South corridor.
The idea of introducing an underground railway in Kolkata dates back to the 1920s, when the city's growing traffic congestion led to proposals for an underground transit system. However, serious planning and construction began much later. Work on the Kolkata Metro project started in the 1970s, and the first operational section was inaugurated in 1984.
Kolkata's metro was significant because it introduced a new form of rapid urban transportation to India. It was also notable for being India's first underground railway system. The project initially faced major engineering and financial challenges, particularly because much of the route passed through densely populated areas of the city.
Today, Kolkata Metro has expanded considerably beyond its original route, with multiple corridors serving different parts of the city and surrounding areas. The system remains an important part of Kolkata's public transport network and marked the beginning of India's modern metro rail era.
