Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India’s first underwater metro route in Kolkata today, marking a significant milestone in the country’s infrastructure development. The underwater service is part of the Howrah Maidan-Esplanade section of the Kolkata Metro’s East-West corridor, stretching 16.6 km beneath the Hooghly River.
Connecting Howrah and Salt Lake, the twin cities of West Bengal’s state capital, the metro route features three underground stations. It is anticipated to traverse a 520-meter stretch under the Hooghly river in a mere 45 seconds, providing a swift and efficient mode of transportation.
Shortly after the inauguration, Prime Minister Modi took a historic ride on the underwater metro line along with school students. He was accompanied by state BJP President Sukanta Majumder and Bengal’s Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari. During the ride, PM Modi interacted with staff workers of the metro, acknowledging their efforts in this groundbreaking project.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Bengal Governor Dr. CV Ananda Bose, along with other top officials and dignitaries. This event follows the historic moment in April 2023 when the Kolkata Metro successfully ran a train through the underwater tunnel during trials, a first in India. Students from various schools were also seen travelling on the inaugural metro, experiencing the innovative transportation firsthand.
The newly-constructed tunnel’s lower section is positioned 26 meters below the river’s surface, with trains operating 16 meters beneath the riverbed. This marks India’s first transportation initiative featuring a metro train traversing beneath a river, showcasing the country’s technological advancement in the field of metro infrastructure.
According to the Ministry of Railways, approximately 10.8 kilometers of the route will be subterranean, while 5.75 kilometers will be elevated on a viaduct. The ministry highlighted that this project will significantly alleviate traffic congestion in Kolkata, providing a smoother commute for residents.
Notably, a historic test run of two six-coach metro trains beneath the Hooghly River’s underwater tunnel was conducted by Kolkata Metro last year. Originally slated for completion by December 2021, the project encountered delays attributed to accidents during tunneling work in central Kolkata’s Bowbazar.
In addition to inaugurating the underwater metro route, Prime Minister also unveiled the Kavi Subhash-Hemanta Mukhopadhyay and Taratala-Majerhat Metro sections in Kolkata today, further enhancing the city’s metro network and connectivity.
