Editing Kolkata (section)

== Transport ==
{{Main|Transport in Kolkata}}

Public transport is provided by the [[Kolkata Suburban Railway]], the [[Kolkata Metro]], [[Trams in Kolkata|trams]], [[rickshaws]], taxis and buses. The suburban rail network connects the city's distant suburbs.

=== Rail ===
==== Rapid transit ====
{{Main|Kolkata Metro}}
[[File:Kolkata-metro-1200.jpg|alt=|thumb|[[Kolkata Metro Green Line]]]]

[[Kolkata Metro]] is the rapid transit system of Kolkat. According to a 2013 survey conducted by the [[International Association of Public Transport]], in terms of a public transport system, Kolkata ranks top among the six Indian cities surveyed.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hemalata |first=Karthikeyan |title=Kolkata tops Indian cities in public transport: Study |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-12-18/india/45336739_1_public-transport-urban-mobility-private-vehicles |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131220084404/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-12-18/india/45336739_1_public-transport-urban-mobility-private-vehicles |archive-date=20 December 2013 |access-date=20 December 2013 |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |date=18 December 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The future of urban mobility 2.0 |url=http://www.adlittle.com/downloads/tx_adlreports/Arthur_D._Little___UITP_Future_of_Urban_Mobility_2_0.pdf |publisher=International Association of Public Transport |access-date=20 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104210935/http://www.adlittle.com/downloads/tx_adlreports/Arthur_D._Little___UITP_Future_of_Urban_Mobility_2_0.pdf |archive-date=4 January 2014 }}</ref> The Kolkata Metro, in operation since 1984, is the oldest underground mass transit system in India.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[Kolkata Metro]] |url=http://www.kolmetro.com/ |title=About Kolkata Metro |access-date=1 September 2007 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070820234733/http://www.kolmetro.com/ |archive-date=20 August 2007 }}</ref> The fully operational blue line spans the north–south length through the middle of the city. In 2020, part of the Second line was inaugurated to cover part of [[Bidhannagar|Salt Lake city]], Kolkata metro area. This east–west green line connects two satellite cities of Kolkata namely Salt Lake and Howrah. Other operational lines are Purple line and Orange line.<ref>{{cite news |title=Circle of Metro commute surveys propose changes to plan |last=Mandal |first=Sanjay |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090729/jsp/calcutta/story_11295327.jsp |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=29 July 2010 |access-date=3 December 2011 |location=Kolkata |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118104122/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090729/jsp/calcutta/story_11295327.jsp |archive-date=18 January 2012 }}</ref>

==== Commuter rail ====
{{Main|Kolkata Suburban Railway}}
[[File:Howrah Station.jpg|thumb|[[Howrah Junction railway station]], largest and busiest railway complex in India (as of 2024)]]
[[Kolkata Suburban Railway]] is the [[List of suburban and commuter rail systems|largest and second busiest]] suburban railway network in the country by number of stations and track length, and also one of the largest in the world. Kolkata has five long-distance inter-city railway stations, located at {{Stnlnk|Howrah}} (the largest and busiest railway complex in India, {{As of|2024|lc=y}}), {{Stnlnk|Sealdah}} (2nd busiest in India, {{As of|2024|lc=y}}), {{Stnlnk|Kolkata}}, {{Stnlnk|Shalimar}} and {{Stnlnk|Santragachi Junction}}, which connect Kolkata by rail to most cities in West Bengal and to other major cities in India.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1060220/asp/calcutta/story_5868502.asp |title=New station flag-off: amenities added |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=20 February 2006 |access-date=2 September 2007 |location=Kolkata |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930033326/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1060220/asp/calcutta/story_5868502.asp |archive-date=30 September 2007 }}</ref> The city serves as the headquarters of three railway zones out of eighteen of the [[Indian Railways]] regional divisions namely the Kolkata Metro, [[Eastern Railway zone|Eastern Railway]] and the [[South Eastern Railway zone|South Eastern Railway]].<ref name="railzones">{{cite web |title=Indian Railway's zones and their divisions with headquarters |url=http://www.indianrail.gov.in/ir_zones.pdf |access-date=25 February 2012 |publisher=Centre For Railway Information Systems, Indian Railways |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120417132128/http://www.indianrail.gov.in/ir_zones.pdf |archive-date=17 April 2012 }}</ref> Kolkata has international rail connectivity with [[Dhaka]], the capital of Bangladesh.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kolkata-Dhaka bus service resumes |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Kolkata/Kolkata-Dhaka-bus-service-resumes/Article1-314159.aspx |newspaper=Hindustan Times |location=New Delhi |agency=IANS |access-date=7 December 2011 |date=30 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120104212342/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Kolkata/Kolkata-Dhaka-bus-service-resumes/Article1-314159.aspx |archive-date=4 January 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=International bus service |url=http://www.brtc.gov.bd/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=126&Itemid=102 |publisher=Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation |access-date=7 December 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120213195335/http://www.brtc.gov.bd/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=126&Itemid=102 |archive-date=13 February 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Maitree Express |url=http://www.hcidhaka.org/pdf/Maitree%20Express%20Facts.pdf |publisher=High Commission of India, Dhaka |access-date=7 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111226021808/http://www.hcidhaka.org/pdf/Maitree%20Express%20Facts.pdf |archive-date=26 December 2011 }}</ref>

=== Tram ===
{{Main|Trams in Kolkata}}
[[File:Kolkata transport.jpg|thumb|[[Trams in Kolkata|Kolkata tramway]] is the only operational [[tram]]way in India. It was founded in 1902 as the [[Calcutta Tramways Company]].]]
Kolkata is the only Indian city with a tram network, which was operated by the [[Calcutta Tramways Company]]. It has now amalgamated to [[West Bengal Transport Corporation]].<ref name="onlytram">{{Cite news |title=Reaching India |url=http://timesfoundation.indiatimes.com/articleshow/657741.cms |access-date=27 February 2012 |publisher=Times Internet Limited |location=New Delhi |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016221039/http://timesfoundation.indiatimes.com/articleshow/657741.cms |archive-date=16 October 2007 }}</ref> There are three operational routes: [[Tollygunge]] to [[Ballygunge]], [[Gariahat]] to [[Esplanade, Kolkata|Esplanade]], [[Shyambazar]] to [[Esplanade, Kolkata|Esplanade]]. Trams are environment friendly but due to slow-moving and traffic congestion, tram attracts less passengers.{{Citation needed|date=July 2024}} Water-logging, caused by heavy rains during the [[Monsoon of South Asia|summer monsoon]], sometimes interrupt transportation networks.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Heavy rainfall throws city out of gear |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/Heavy-rainfall-throws-city-out-of-gear/articleshow/9511024.cms |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120708035054/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-08-07/kolkata/29861203_1_water-logging-drainage-heavy-rainfall |archive-date=8 July 2012 |agency=TNN |date=7 August 2011 |access-date=26 February 2012 |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=live |location=New Delhi }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Heavy rains paralyse normal life in Kolkata |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/heavy-rains-paralyse-normal-life-in-kolkata/article2330768.ece |access-date=26 February 2012 |newspaper=The Hindu |agency=Press Trust of India |date=6 August 2011 |location=Chennai |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502233216/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/heavy-rains-paralyse-normal-life-in-kolkata/article2330768.ece |archive-date=2 May 2014 }}</ref>

=== Roads and expressways ===
{{Main|List of roads in Kolkata}}
{{See also|List of expressways in West Bengal}}
[[File:Red Road - Kolkata 2013-04-10 7739.JPG|300px|thumb|Red Road, a major 6-lane highroad in Central Kolkata]]
Kolkata along its [[Kolkata Metropolitan Area|metropolitan area]] is home to the second largest road network in India. {{As of|2022}}, total road network in the city's [[Kolkata metropolitan area|metropolitan area]] is {{Convert|4018|km|abbr=on}},<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/1075128/india-road-length-in-metropolitan-cities/#:~:text=In%202022%2C%20the%20Indian%20capital,just%20over%20four%20thousand%20kilometers |title=India: Road length in major metropolitan cities 2022 |access-date=8 May 2024 |archive-date=7 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240507185028/https://www.statista.com/statistics/1075128/india-road-length-in-metropolitan-cities/#:~:text=In%202022%2C%20the%20Indian%20capital,just%20over%20four%20thousand%20kilometers |url-status=live }}</ref> while the city proper has road network of {{Convert|1850|km|abbr=on}}.<ref name="auto1">{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/among-metros-kol-has-highest-car-density-with-2448-per-km/articleshow/102483515.cms |title=Among metros, Kolkata has highest car density with 2,448 per km |newspaper=The Times of India |date=7 August 2023 |access-date=8 May 2024 |archive-date=7 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240507191135/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/among-metros-kol-has-highest-car-density-with-2448-per-km/articleshow/102483515.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> The city has witnessed a steady increase in the number of registered vehicles: from 17 lakhs in 2019 to 21 lakhs in 2022, an 18.52 per cent jump.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/in-kolkata-vehicle-registrations-rose-by-18-5-post-pandemic-9084010/ |title=In Kolkata, vehicle registrations rose by 18.5% post pandemic |date=27 December 2023 |access-date=8 May 2024 |archive-date=8 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508143527/https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/in-kolkata-vehicle-registrations-rose-by-18-5-post-pandemic-9084010/ |url-status=live }}</ref> With 2,448 vehicles per kilometre of road, Kolkata has the highest car density in India.<ref name="auto1"/> This leads major traffic congestion. The city's main bus terminals are located at [[Esplanade, Kolkata|Esplanade]] and [[Howrah]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Bandyopadhyay |first=Krishnendu |title=Bus-stand shift still on paper |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Bus-stand-shift-still-on-paper/articleshow/10448452.cms |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120708020802/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-10-22/kolkata/30310637_1_terminus-bus-stand-bus-termini |archive-date=8 July 2012 |access-date=7 December 2011 |date=22 September 2011 |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=live |location=New Delhi }}</ref> The Kolkata–Delhi and Kolkata–[[Chennai]] prongs of the [[Golden Quadrilateral]], and [[National Highway 12 (India)|National Highway 12]] start from the outskirts of the city.<ref>{{cite web |title=Physical infrastructure |url=http://www.wbidc.com/about_wb/physical_infrastructure.htm |publisher=West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation |access-date=7 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111150948/http://www.wbidc.com/about_wb/physical_infrastructure.htm |archive-date=11 January 2012 }}</ref>

{{As of|2024}}, Kolkata has one state expressway and two national [[Expressways of India|expressways]], all in its metropolitan area. [[Kalyani Expressway]] is only state expressway, which is partially operational and partially under construction. The national expressways are [[Belghoria Expressway|Belghoria]] (part of [[AH1]] and [[National Highway 12 (India)|NH12]]), operational and [[Kona Expressway]] (part of [[National Highway 12 (India)|NH12]]), at grade road operational but elevated corridor under construction. Some national expressways are planned or in various stages of construction to connect directly with many major metropolises and cities of India. Those are: [[Varanasi–Kolkata Expressway]]<ref>{{cite news |author1=Mishra, Amit |title=NHAI's Ambitious 610-Km Varanasi-Kolkata Expressway To Be Operational By 2027 |url=https://swarajya.com/amp/story/news-headlines%2Fnhais-ambitious-610-km-varanasi-kolkata-expressway-to-be-operational-by-2027 |work=Swarajya |date=9 December 2022 |access-date=10 December 2022 |language=en}}{{Dead link|date=May 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> and Patna Kolkata Expressway.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/patna-kolkata-expressway-to-pass-through-5-districts-of-bihar-4675919.html |title=Patna-Kolkata Expressway to Pass Through 5 Districts of Bihar |date=19 January 2022 |access-date=8 May 2024 |archive-date=22 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240822104006/https://www.news18.com/news/india/patna-kolkata-expressway-to-pass-through-5-districts-of-bihar-4675919.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Kolkata has international road connectivity to [[Dhaka]], [[Bangladesh]] by [[Jessore Road]];<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://sundayguardianlive.com/news/jessore-road-redeveloped-end-2023-decades-delay |title=Jessore Road to be redeveloped by end of 2023 after a decade's delay |first=Dibyendu |last=Mondal |date=5 March 2022 |access-date=31 July 2024 |archive-date=22 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240822104014/https://sundayguardianlive.com/news/jessore-road-redeveloped-end-2023-decades-delay |url-status=live }}</ref> to [[Bangkok]], [[Thailand]] and [[Myanmar]] by Kolkata-Thailand-Bangkok Trilateral Highway (an extension of [[India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway|IMT Highway]])<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/business/roadways-kolkata-to-thailand-via-myanmar-road-that-wont-be-less-travelled-know-all-about-the-scenic-route-distance-and-launch-time-3128938/ |title=Kolkata to Thailand via Myanmar! Road that won't be less travelled – Know all about the scenic route, distance and launch time |date=17 June 2023 |access-date=8 May 2024 |archive-date=8 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508155526/https://www.financialexpress.com/business/roadways-kolkata-to-thailand-via-myanmar-road-that-wont-be-less-travelled-know-all-about-the-scenic-route-distance-and-launch-time-3128938/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and to [[Nepal]] and [[Bhutan]] by [[National Highway 12 (India)|NH12]] and proposed [[Haldia–Raxaul Expressway]].

[[File:Yellow taxi at Esplanade in Kolkata.jpg|thumb|The yellow taxi remains a favourite mode of transportation despite the foray of [[Ridesharing company|rideshare companies]] in the transport market.]]
Hired public conveyances include [[auto rickshaw]]s, which often ply specific routes, and yellow metered taxis. Almost all of Kolkata's taxis are antiquated [[Hindustan Ambassador]]s by make; newer air-conditioned [[Taxicab#Dispatching|radio taxis]] are in service as well.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cruise in a cool cab |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1081130/jsp/calcutta/story_10111183.jsp |access-date=7 December 2011 |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=30 November 2008 |location=Kolkata |first=Samhita L. |last=Chakraborty |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118182025/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1081130/jsp/calcutta/story_10111183.jsp |archive-date=18 January 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Getting around in Kolkata |url=http://www.lonelyplanet.com/india/kolkata-calcutta/transport/getting-around |publisher=Lonely Planet |access-date=7 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121204170242/http://www.lonelyplanet.com/india/kolkata-calcutta/transport/getting-around |archive-date=4 December 2012 }}</ref> In parts of the city, [[cycle rickshaw]]s and [[Pulled rickshaw|hand-pulled rickshaws]] are patronised by the public for short trips.<ref>{{cite web |first=Calvin |last=Trillin |title=India's rickshaws |url=http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/04/kolkata-rickshaws/calvin-trillin-text |work=National Geographic |access-date=11 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120130071745/http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/04/kolkata-rickshaws/calvin-trillin-text |archive-date=30 January 2012 }}</ref>

=== Air ===
[[File:Kolkata Airport Terminal (14668163978).jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|[[Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport|Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport]]]]
[[Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport]], located in Dum Dum, about {{cvt|16|km}} north-east of the city centre, operates domestic and international flights. In 2013, the airport was upgraded to handle increased air traffic.<ref>{{cite news |title=AAI to modernise Chennai, Kolkata airports by fiscal end |url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-08-26/news/29931676_1_kolkata-airports-aai-terminal-buildings |access-date=7 December 2011 |newspaper=Economic Times |agency=Press Trust of India |date=26 August 2011 |location=New Delhi |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120114000339/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-08-26/news/29931676_1_kolkata-airports-aai-terminal-buildings |archive-date=14 January 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Gupta |first=Jayanta |title=From March 15, all flights from new terminal in Kolkata |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/From-March-15-all-flights-from-new-terminal-in-Kolkata/articleshow/18803799.cms |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130411033600/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-03-05/kolkata/37469356_1_flights-city-airport-domestic-fliers |archive-date=11 April 2013 |access-date=11 March 2013 |date=5 March 2013 |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=live |location=New Delhi }}</ref>

=== Water ===
The [[Port of Kolkata]], established in 1870, is India's oldest and the only major river port.<ref name="ibmport">{{cite web |title=Port facilities in India |url=http://ibm.nic.in/portfacilities.pdf |publisher=Indian Bureau of Mines, Government of India |pages=6–4 |access-date=7 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016144155/http://www.ibm.nic.in/portfacilities.pdf |archive-date=16 October 2011 }}</ref> The Kolkata Port Trust manages docks in Kolkata and [[Haldia]].<ref name="dockport">{{cite web |url=http://www.kolkataporttrust.gov.in/index_new.html |title=Salient physical features |access-date=9 June 2007 |work=[[Kolkata Port Trust]] |publisher=Kolkata Port Trust, India |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070313003421/http://www.kolkataporttrust.gov.in/index_new.html |archive-date=13 March 2007 }}</ref> The port hosts passenger services to [[Port Blair]], capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands; freighter service to ports throughout India and around the world is operated by the [[Shipping Corporation of India]].<ref name="ibmport" /><ref>{{cite web |title=How to reach Andaman and Nicobar |url=http://www.and.nic.in/C_charter/IP_T/reach.htm |publisher=Andaman and Nicobar Administration |access-date=7 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410011938/http://www.and.nic.in/C_charter/IP_T/reach.htm |archive-date=10 April 2009 }}</ref> Ferry services connect Kolkata with its twin city of [[Howrah]], located across the Hooghly River.<ref>{{cite news |title=Fogged out: flights, train services hit |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/Fogged-out-Flights-train-services-hit/articleshow/7288571.cms |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120707023108/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-01-15/kolkata/28372730_1_flight-operations-incoming-flights-visibility |archive-date=7 July 2012 |access-date=24 January 2012 |date=15 January 2011 |agency=TNN |quote=Ferry services between Howrah and Kolkata were also disrupted due to poor visibility. |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=live |location=New Delhi }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=No pollution scan on river ferries yet |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/No-pollution-scan-on-river-ferries-yet/articleshow/4846751.cms |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120707055616/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-08-02/kolkata/28200565_1_vessels-ferry-services-pollution-levels |archive-date=7 July 2012 |access-date=24 January 2012 |agency=TNN |date=2 August 2009 |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=live |location=New Delhi }}</ref>