The Calcutta Metro Railway (Operation and Maintenance) Temporary Provisions Act, 1985 (Act No. 10 of 1985) was enacted by the Indian Parliament to establish a legal framework for the operation and maintenance of the Calcutta Metro Railway, pending the creation of permanent arrangements. This Act came into force retrospectively from 22nd October 1984, replacing an earlier ordinance issued in the same year. The legislation was introduced during a critical phase in India's urban transportation history, as the Calcutta Metro was the country's first underground metro system, marking a significant milestone in public infrastructure.
The Calcutta Metro project was initiated in the 1970s to address the growing transportation needs of Kolkata (then Calcutta), a densely populated metropolitan city. The Metro Railways (Construction of Works) Act, 1978 provided the legal basis for constructing the metro, but there was no specific law governing its operation and maintenance. To fill this gap, the 1985 Act was introduced as a temporary measure, ensuring smooth functioning until a comprehensive law could be enacted. The Act was designed to align with the Indian Railways Act, 1890, while incorporating special provisions tailored to the metro system.
The Act laid the groundwork for disciplined metro operations, emphasizing safety, efficiency, and public order. It set precedents for later metro systems in India, influencing frameworks like the Delhi Metro Act, 2002. While temporary, its provisions were pivotal in establishing the Calcutta Metro as a model for urban transit. Over time, newer legislations replaced it, but its role in shaping India’s metro rail policies remains historically significant.

The 1985 Act was a pragmatic response to the immediate needs of Kolkata’s metro system, blending railway traditions with metro-specific rules. It not only facilitated the smooth launch of India’s first metro but also underscored the importance of specialized laws for urban rail networks, leaving a lasting impact on the country’s transportation jurisprudence.