National Desk, 6th March: Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked a historic moment on March 6 by inaugurating India’s first under-river metro tunnel in Kolkata. This groundbreaking infrastructure project links Howrah Maidan to Esplanade, traversing beneath the Hooghly River and symbolizing a significant milestone in the nation’s transportation network.
Ahead of the inauguration ceremony, Prime Minister Modi embarked on a metro ride in Kolkata, sharing the experience with school students. The joyous occasion allowed students to accompany the Prime Minister on India’s inaugural underwater metro service, creating memorable moments for all involved.
The newly unveiled metro tunnel encompasses a 4.8 km stretch between Howrah Maidan and Esplanade, forming part of the East-West Metro corridor connecting Howrah Maidan to the IT hub Salt Lake Sector V. Notably, this section features a remarkable 520-meter under-river stretch beneath the Hooghly River, promising commuters a swift journey of just 45 seconds.
Of the total 16.6 km length of the East-West Metro, the underground corridor spans 10.8 km, linking Howrah Maidan to Phoolbagan, including the tunnel beneath the Hooghly River. The remaining distance consists of an elevated corridor.
Looking ahead, the Kolkata Metro aims to commence commercial operations along the entire East-West alignment between Salt Lake Sector V and Howrah Maidan by June-July. The inauguration of the underwater metro tunnel represents a significant leap forward in India’s metro rail network, offering commuters a faster and more efficient mode of transportation between key locations in Kolkata and Howrah City.
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