In a historic development, India witneseds the inauguration of its inaugural under-river metro station in Kolkata today. Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled this groundbreaking project as part of his visit to Kolkata, where he also laid the foundation stone for projects amounting to Rs 15,400 crore. This event marked the second visit of the Prime Minister to West Bengal in just five days.
Key Highlights of the Project
Under-River Metro Tunnel Inauguration: Prime Minister Modi is set to inaugurate the under-river metro tunnel on March 6, connecting Howrah Maidan to Esplanade. This marks a significant achievement as it is the first transportation tunnel beneath a mighty river in India.
Metro Expansion in Kolkata: In addition to the under-river tunnel, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the Kavi Subhash-Hemanta Mukhopadhyay and Taratala-Majerhat metro sections, focusing on improving urban mobility.
Record-Breaking Depth: The Howrah Maidan-Esplanade section is recognized as the deepest metro station in India, passing under the Hooghly River, which separates Kolkata and Howrah City.
Historical Feat: Kolkata Metro made history in April 2023 by successfully operating a metro train through a tunnel under the Hooghly River—a first in the country.
East-West Metro Corridor: The 4.8 km stretch between Howrah Maidan and Esplanade is part of the East-West Metro corridor, connecting Howrah Maidan to the IT hub Salt Lake Sector V.
Quick Under-River Transit: The metro is expected to cover a 520-meter stretch under the river Hooghly in a mere 45 seconds, emphasizing efficiency and speed.
Automatic Train Operation: The metro operates on the Automatic Train Operation (ATO) system, ensuring seamless movement between stations with automated control.
Commercial Operation Timeline: While the Salt Lake Sector V to Sealdah stretch is already operational, the complete East-West alignment, covering 16.6 km, is anticipated to begin commercial operations between Salt Lake Sector V and Howrah Maidan by June-July.
Kolkata Metro's pioneering under-river metro station places it among the elite cities globally, joining the ranks of London, Moscow, and Munich with a similar transportation system. This achievement underlines Kolkata's commitment to advancing urban infrastructure and mobility.
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