Published on September 20, 2025
As Durga Puja 2025 draws near, Kolkata Metro has introduced a caller inaugural aimed astatine facilitating recreation for nan expected surge of visitors during nan festival. The typical Tourist Smart Cards connection unlimited recreation crossed nan metro network, ensuring visitors and pandal-hoppers tin research nan city’s vibrant taste scenery pinch ease. The cards are priced astatine ₹250 for a three-day walk and ₹550 for a five-day pass, and are disposable astatine each metro position booking counters. This move is expected to streamline travel, destruct nan hassle of repeated token purchases, and heighten nan wide acquisition for visitors successful nan City of Joy.
Convenience for Tourists During nan Festivities
The Tourist Smart Cards are specifically designed to negociate nan immense influx of visitors during nan Durga Puja celebrations, which tally from September 28 to October 2, 2025. As nan regular metro footfall is expected to touch 11-12 lakhs, nan preamble of these cards will make walking crossed nan metropolis much convenient for tourists, pinch an easy-to-use walk that offers unlimited rides during nan validity period.
The cards not only make commuting hassle-free but besides service arsenic a valuable instrumentality for visitors exploring nan galore pandals (temporary structures lodging Durga idols) astir Kolkata. Visitors will beryllium capable to debar agelong queues for tokens aliases recharges, which is particularly important during nan engaged Puja season.
How to Obtain nan Tourist Smart Card
Tourists tin easy get nan Tourist Smart Cards by visiting immoderate Kolkata Metro position booking counter. The process is straightforward and quick, making it an perfect prime for visitors arriving successful nan city. The ₹250 card is valid for unlimited metro rides for three days, while nan ₹550 paper offers five days of travel, providing elasticity to research nan city’s awesome attractions astatine their ain pace. A refundable information deposit of ₹80 is included successful nan value of nan card.
Although nan Tourist Smart Card is disposable chiefly for in-person purchase, visitors tin besides return advantage of nan Aamar Kolkata Metro mobile app, which offers QR-based tickets and top-up accommodation for regular metro cards. The app tin beryllium downloaded from some nan Google Play Store and nan Apple App Store for added convenience.
Special Mahalaya Services
In summation to nan preamble of nan Tourist Smart Cards, Kolkata Metro has announced special services for Mahalaya connected September 21, 2025. The metro will run 182 services connected nan Blue Line, a important summation from nan accustomed 130 services connected Sundays. This accommodation will accommodate nan accrued request for travel, peculiarly to cardinal stations for illustration Dakshineswar and Dum Dum. The first trains will depart betwixt 6:50 AM and 6:55 AM, ensuring that early commuters tin recreation smoothly to nan festivities.
The Mahalaya typical services are designed to easiness nan load connected passengers walking during 1 of nan busiest days of nan Puja season. The past trains of nan time will travel nan regular schedule. This accrued work readiness reflects nan metro’s committedness to ensuring nan public’s information and convenience during nan festivities.
Must-Visit Pandals for Durga Puja 2025
For those readying to bask nan expansive ceremony of Durga Puja, Kolkata offers immoderate of nan astir mesmerizing and intricate pandals, each offering a unsocial experience. Below are immoderate of nan must-visit pandals during nan festival:
Heritage and Traditional Pandals
- Ahiritola Sarbojanin: Situated adjacent Beniatola successful North Kolkata, this astir century-old pandal is simply a cleanable blend of devotion and culture. Located adjacent nan Ganga, nan pandal is known for its taste programs and accepted rituals.
- Bagbazar Sarbojanin: A majestic pandal that merges practice pinch modern artistry. Located successful a freely parkland setting, it showcases taste programs and humanities themes. The nearest metro position is Central.
- Shobhabazar Rajbari: Celebrated successful a royal palace making love backmost to nan 18th century, this pandal offers aristocratic grandeur and accepted rituals. The nearest metro position is Shovabazar Sutanuti.
Artistic and Innovative Pandals
- Sreebhumi Sporting Club: Known for its life-sized replicas and Bollywood-style themes, this pandal adjacent Lake Town will recreate nan BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple successful New Jersey successful 2025, drafting thousands of visitors.
- Ekdalia Evergreen Club: Located adjacent Gariahat, this pandal is celebrated for its monolithic idols and spectacular decorations. Each year, it recreates renowned temples from crossed India, blending grandeur pinch devotion.
- College Square Sarbojanin: Famous for its lakeside setting, nan reflections of lights connected nan h2o create a magical ambiance astatine night. The nearest metro position is Central.
Socially Conscious and Inclusive Pandals
- Hazra Park – Drishtikon: With a attraction connected inclusivity, this pandal celebrates its 83rd twelvemonth by eliminating stairs and making it accessible for each visitors.
- Baguiati Rail Pukur United Club – Shabdo: Known for its committedness to accessibility, this pandal offers restrooms for nan abnormal and elder citizens, emphasizing societal responsibility.
Tips for Pandal Hopping
- Start Early: Begin your visits successful nan greeting to debar crowds.
- Use Public Transport: Opt for nan Kolkata Metro to recreation efficiently betwixt pandals.
- Stay Hydrated and Safe: Carry water, deterioration comfortable clothing, and beryllium mindful of your belongings.
The Kolkata Police is launching a mobile app for real-time updates and navigation assistance, helping users find pandals, cheque introduction and exit details, and connection emergency interaction numbers.
Conclusion: Enjoy nan Spirit of Durga Puja pinch Ease
The Tourist Smart Card offers a seamless and convenient measurement for visitors to bask nan vibrant Durga Puja celebrations crossed Kolkata. With typical services for Mahalaya and a wide scope of taste activities, including visits to iconic pandals, this paper ensures that visitors tin make nan astir of their clip successful nan city. By streamlining proscription and reducing nan hassle of buying tokens aliases recharges, it enhances nan wide festive experience, allowing everyone to afloat immerse themselves successful Kolkata’s rich | taste heritage.