Home Header News PM Modi inaugurates India’s first underwater Metro Rail service in Kolkata

PM Modi inaugurates India’s first underwater Metro Rail service in Kolkata

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As a landmark in India’s infrastructural development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India’s first underwater Metro Service in Kolkata, West Bengal on Wednesday. Post inauguration, the PM enjoyed a Metro ride from Esplanade to Howrah Maidan accompanied by school students. He also interacted with Metro railway staff during the train ride.
During his visit to the ‘City of Joy’ on March 6, PM Modi also laid the foundation stone of multiple projects worth Rs 15,400 crore. Later in the day, the PM also unveiled the Kavi Subhash – Hemanta Mukhopadhyay Metro section and Taratala – Majerhat Metro section, which is part of Joka- Esplanade line.
The Howrah Maidan – Esplanade Metro section of Kolkata Metro has India’s first underwater transportation tunnel. Howrah Metro Station is the deepest metro station in India. The Majerhat Metro Station, on the Taratala – Majerhat Metro section inaugurated today, is a unique elevated Metro station across railway lines, platforms and canal.
The inauguration event was also graced by West Bengal Governor Dr. CV Ananda Bose, state BJP President Sukanta Majumder, and Bengal’s Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari along with other dignitaries.

Features

<> This underwater route is part of the Kolkata Metro’s East-West corridor
<> It will connect Howrah Maidan with Esplanade
<> The route spans 16.6 km beneath the Hooghly River, which has Kolkata and Howrah on its either banks
<> Travel time for 520-meter stretch under the Hooghly river is just 45 seconds
<> The metro route has 6 stations out of which 3 are underground
<> The Deepest Metro station in India is at Howrah with a depth of 30 metres
<> The Kolkata Metro network will be getting an additional 11.45 km route (5.4 km on the Orange Line, 4.8 km on the Green Line and 1.25 km on the Purple Line)
<> Ticket prices are affordable – starting at Rs 5 only
<> Passengers can enjoy uninterrupted mobile network connectivity even under water

Easing Traffic congestion

This underwater Metro service is expected to be a green move in a way of combating the city’s air pollution. It will also help to alleviate traffic congestion especially in busy hours. Highlighting this point, the Prime Minister tweeted:

East-West Metro

Kolkata Metro created history when the trial run for the underwater Metro service was successfully completed in April last year, which was finally inaugurated on 6th March 2024.
While the Salt Lake Sector 5 to Sealdah stretch of the East-West Metro corridor is already operational, work is in progress for the Esplanade-Sealdah stretch of the East-West Metro. The entire East-West route which will connect Howrah Maidan with Salt Lake Sector 5 is expected to start commercial operation by July this year.