Underwater Metro in Kolkata: PM Modi’s Inauguration

India’s first underwater metro service was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, in Kolkata. The metro service is part of the Howrah Maidan-Esplanade section of the East-West corridor, which covers a distance of 16.6 km under the Hooghly river. The metro service will connect Howrah and Salt Lake, the twin cities of West Bengal’s state capital.

The underwater metro is a landmark project that showcases the nation’s infrastructure development and technological advancement. It has the first transportation tunnel under a river in India and the deepest metro station in India at Howrah (30 m deep). The metro train will zoom through a 520-meter stretch under the Hooghly in just 45 seconds.

The Prime Minister took a ride on the underwater metro with several school students and interacted with them. He also waved to passengers of another metro train when it passed by the one he was riding on. He said that the underwater metro is a gift to the people of Kolkata and a long-cherished dream that has been realised.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by top officials and dignitaries. The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone of multiple connectivity projects across the country worth Rs 15,400 crore. These include operations from the Kavi Subhash Metro, Majerhat Metro, Kochi Metro, Agra Metro, Meerut-RRTS section, Pune Metro, and Esplanade section of the Kolkata Metro.

The underwater metro service is expected to ease traffic congestion, reduce travel time, and improve connectivity between Kolkata and Howrah. It will also boost tourism, commerce, and cultural exchange between the two cities. The project was started in 2009 and faced several challenges and delays due to technical and environmental issues. It was finally completed in 2024 with an estimated cost of Rs 8,575 crore.

The underwater metro service is a historic achievement for India and a proud moment for Kolkata. It is a testament to the vision and leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his commitment to transforming India’s urban landscape.

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