Durga Puja festivities are all set to kick off from September 28 in Kolkata, and if you are planning to visit the place during this festival and explore the local areas via metro, then there is some good news for you.
The Kolkata Metro Tourists Smart card has been introduced by Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation, which will make your travel easier since it will offer unlimited travel for 3-5 days. It will help you deal with unprecedented crowds because people from all corners of the country come to Kolkata to witness the grand celebration.
Kolkata Metro Tourist Smart Card holders can take advantage of unlimited metro rides for 3 days with a fixed price of ₹250 and ₹550 for 5 days. This initiative has been taken to make Kolkata metro travel during Durga Puja smooth for all the visitors, and also to facilitate a large number of people travelling.
This initiative will help pandal hoppers and tourists who wish to explore the city, skip long queues for tokens to hop on the Kolkata Metro train.
Difference Between Regular and Tourist Metro Cards Kolkata
For regular cards to use Kolkata Metro Train, you can pay as you go. You can pay for the particular distance covered and reach your destination; however, with the Kolkata Metro Tourist Smart Card, you can travel without any restrictions, multiple times.
The regular cards will continue to provide 5% bonus on recharge value. The Metro officials are urging the locals to make use of digital cards to avoid long queues, especially during the festive season.
Special Metro Service for Durga Puja
The officials have started a special train service for Durga Puja from Mahalaya on September 21st, Sunday. On the Blue Line, 182 trains will run that day, up from the usual 130 on Sundays. First departures from Noapara, Dakshineswar, and Dum Dum are scheduled between 6:50 am and 6:55 am, with last-train timings unchanged.
How To Buy Tourist Smart Card for Kolkata Metro?
The Tourist Smart Card is available at all metro station booking counters across the network. After purchasing the card, its validity begins from the first time you use it. The card is used just like a regular smart card at fare gates.
Metro authorities encourage passengers to use the Aamar Kolkata Metro app for online smart card recharges and QR ticket purchases to save time and avoid queues at counters.
Will It Be Valid After Puja?
Yes. The tourist card’s validity is not restricted to the Puja dates only. Once you buy the card, it remains valid for that many consecutive days, whether during or after Durga Puja.
After the validity is over, the card can be recharged and used like a regular smart card, making it convenient for tourists or locals who wish to continue using it for their daily commute.
Will It Be More Useful After Durga Puja?
Yes, especially if you plan multiple rides in a short span. The Tourist Smart Card offers unlimited rides for a fixed fee, which can be more cost-effective than buying tokens or topping up a regular smart card for frequent travel.
Once the unlimited ride period ends, you can recharge it like a normal smart card. If you are travelling less frequently after Puja, switching to a pay-as-you-go regular smart card may be more economical.
