Recently I went on a trip to Kolkata with my friends. Honestly I was overwhelmed by the city. The roads, the ghats, the footpath, the buildings, the tourist spots, the gardens literally everything was so enchanting. In addition, I was also very surprised by the extensive grandiose range of public transport. The expanse of the bus network (mini red, blue, white, wbtc, sbstc) is so huge and economic (cheaper than totos). We had a fun ride and the conductor behaved friendly with us. Next came the metro. The technology fascinated me. AFC PC gates, ATVMs, PSDs, blue and green coloured footsteps, I was so amazed by its technology and glamour that I read about the history since its inception regarding its construction, rolling stock and ticketing system. The ticket system attracted me the most. From a historic aspect, the ticketing system's evolution is a testimony to its progress and advancement in technology to match the world standards.

Apart from history, there are few questions in my head especially regarding the smart card. I tried to gather info from the internet but I feel some things are missing and I'm a bit skeptical about few things.

1.) I can get a smart card via two ways??!

-Firstly I walk up to a ticket counter and request the operator for a smart card. Then I pay Rs 100(as of Aug, 2026) which includes the security deposit of Rs 50. A smart card gets a 10% bonus which adds Rs 5 to the current balance. So, in short, my balance will be Rs 55 in total(excluding the security deposit).

-Secondly, I can get a new smart card from a vending machine that stands adjacent to ticket counters. I walk up to a vending machine and then press on the screen "New Smart Card". Following it, I feed the machine a note of Rs 100 via the cash slot. After that, I get a brand new smart card in my hands from the card slot.

Is it all or there is something more to know??

also I'm scared that my money will get stuck in the machine and I'll not get a smart card. In that case, what to do??

2.) How to do recharge??

-Following the same steps in the above bullet. In this case, I ask the operator for a recharge. Then I will probably have to submit the card with the desirable money for the top-up, say Rs 100. Then he/she will return my card with a balance of Rs 110(including the 10% bonus).

-I walk up to a vending machine where I see the option "Recharge" on the screen and press on it. Then, insert the card into the card slot and select an amount. Accordingly I insert the notes into the cash slot. I take the card from the slot and the top-up is done. The balance is now Rs 110(10% bonus).

-I can also do this recharge from an called AAMAR KOLKATA METRO.

-I can also do this from the website of Metro Railway Kolkata.

Here also I have the same question. What if the money or smart card or both gets struck in the machine? Adding to it, I have little to no knowledge about the digital modes of payment. I currently don't have an ATM, credit, debit or any other type of card. I don't have UPI(Paytm, PhonePe, BHIM, etc nothing at all). So, the last two options are virtually eliminated but I would really appreciate it if someone can come forward and help and teach me about these things also(recharge from home).

3.) How to use the card??

-This step is simple but I want assurance. Simply tap the card flat on the entry gate sensor, and tap it again at the destination exit gate to deduct the fare.

But I read somewhere on reddit that it doesn't work unless it has some minimum balance(likely Rs 15 or Rs 25). What if the fare is lower than the minimum balance then will it work and pass the AFC gate?? Let's say, I want to travel from Howrah Maidan to Howrah which costs only Rs 5. In that case, will it work as the fare is much than the presumable minimum balance??

4.) What if the card gets damaged or lost?

-Same as the title.

5.) How to get a plastic token ticket?

-As usual from the counter

-Vending machine

the same question. What if the coins get stuck?? also can the payment be done via UPI or only coins??

6.) QR ticket....?!

-From the counter

-From the app mentioned above.

how to do it from the app?? also can I get a QR ticket from the vending machine??

7.) How to get the refund of security deposit?

How is it actually done because I read some very different experiences of few people of how inconvenient it is.

One person said that it is quite easy. He/she said just return the card and ask for the security deposit. The operator would take the card and return the security deposit. Another wrote a huge piece of epic to describe how long the process is. First I would have to write a letter stating the reason for the return of smart card. Then submit it to a station master of a station including a photocopy of an aadhar card. Then I would have to wait for atleast a week or so. Now I'm very confused and puzzled.

8.) How to get the remaining balance?

It is a following question. How can I get my money back in case I decide to return my card?? Is it the same as above??

9.) Tourist card

I have seen advertisements for this festive season metro card last year. Is this only valid for 3-5 days?? can I not use it as a normal metro smart card?? do I have to return it after the validity ends?

I also read that these cards can be used for unlimited rides during the festive season. Are these cards rechargeless or something?? will these cards not deduct a penny from the balance of Rs 250 or Rs 550 respectively??

10.) What if validity ends??

-Same as the question. What if the validity ends? Do I have to buy a yet another metro card or it will resume it's validity again after the first recharge??

*What is this??

-Same as the question.

I saw it at Howrah Maidan metro stn.

What is this machine?

(the first attached image)

*Where are they??

-Same as the title.

Where are the powerbank rental towers gone?

(the second attached image)

Where are these weighting machines? Have they been replaced by more advanced machines?

(the third attached image)

*miscellaneous stuff; not very important to answer the last three

Besides the Kolkata metro, there are a few doubts regarding the sealdah AC local train which was inaugurated last year. I'm recently planning a trip to barrackpore with my homies for a meal of famous Dada Boudi biryani. But unfortunately I have a near zero idea about its schedule and booking. Google is showing that there are two AC locals that depart from sealdah. Enlighten me about it if you have info regarding this. Also, add how to book a ticket both physically and virtually. Also hope I get the other answers as well.

Sorry for writing such a long post. Will try to be brief next time. I'm hopeful that I will get all my answers. Thanks for reading this post. Have a nice day!

*EDIT: The 10% bonus data is outdated. Now it is only 5% bonus.

*EDIT: What the hell is a NCMC card? can an ATM card be used like a smart card??

*EDIT: Does anyone know about this WhatsApp chatbot thing??

*EDIT: What is this wallet in AAMAR METRO KOLKATA app?? How does it work??

*EDIT: Does anyone know when the AC tram departs from Esplanade Tram Depot? Will there be a frequent number of AC trams in afternoon(1-3PM)??

Saw it near the bus stand of Danesh Sk Lane.

Is it fr? do danesh sk lane bashi have any info about this??

kau ki jano bus ta kobe theke suru hobe?

As a child, the Ghoti-Bangal debate has always fascinated me. Since childhood, I have observed that Gen X বাঙালি uncles never fail a chance to sit for an adda in a cha-er-dokan and claim their ancestral superiority. It was a routine debate. I have seen a lot light-hearted banter on Didi No 1 as well. However, besides all these friendly-fire, I have noticed an interesting story of this divide in the context of our state's politics in the 1970s-80s. 

For those who don't know, Bengal suffered partition in 1947 where it lost most of its fertile land and a huge influx of migrants happened. It had an economic strain on us. Subsequently, many such small waves of migration happened over the years. The year when Bangladesh was liberated, our state was bombarded with migrants. The land was limited, resources were scarce and employment was non existent. So, the Congress government decided to settle these people in other states such as Uttar Pradesh amd Uttarakhand. However, CPI(M) opposed it as they feared that this might isolate the udbatus so they started building camps for the poor migrant families and started calling out for protests for their rehabilitation in WB only. Operation Barga was one such land reform movement that helped them. Given all these, it is clear that the bangals were the main vote base of CPI(M). Whereas, ghotis usually voted for Congress. I think there are few reasons for this stance. Mainly, for historic congress leaders like Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy and secondly for the settlement of the udbastus in other states probably for gatekeeping the resources of their state. 

In addition to, I think Mamata Banerjee was the only leader for whom both ghotis and bangals united and voted for to get rid of the Left. 

Feel free to disagree with my POV of this silly political analysis of ghoti and bangal. Thank you 

Interesting pieces of information to read: 

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/uttarakhand-to-liberate-its-migrant-bengalis-from-east-pak-stamp/articleshow/85118625.cms#google\_vignette

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marichjhapi\_massacre