Historic Milestone: India’s First Underwater Metro Tunnel in Kolkata to be Inaugurated by PM Modi on March 6, 2024
Kolkata is set to achieve a breakthrough in modern transportation as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate India’s inaugural underwater metro tunnel on March 6. The tunnel, a pivotal component of the East-West Metro corridor within the Kolkata Metro project, is a testament to the remarkable progress made over the past decade under Prime Minister Modi’s vision for comprehensive infrastructure development.
This is a major achievement according to the Railway Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw. He pointed out the big improvements made on the Kolkata Metro project in recent years, compared to the much slower progress of the previous 4 decades.
Constructed by the Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation, the under-river tunnel spans an impressive 10.8 kilometers with a width of 5.5 meters. Notably, a 520-meter stretch of the tunnel passes beneath the Hooghly River, reaching depths of approximately 30 meters below ground level. This achievement positions Kolkata as the home to India’s first-ever underwater river tunnel designed specifically for metro rail services.
The completion of the tunnel in 2021 marks a significant leap forward in the city’s metro system. Once operational, the East-West Metro Line is expected to cover the under-river segment in less than a minute, providing passengers with a unique and efficient travel experience. Notably, the Howrah metro station will become the country’s deepest, situated 32 to 33 meters below the surface.
Get ready for a game-changing moment as India’s City of Joy, Kolkata, prepares to unveil the nation’s inaugural underwater Metro system. Linking the bustling west (Howrah) to the vibrant east of Kolkata, this groundbreaking project promises to redefine commuter travel. #afcons pic.twitter.com/pxeziG2K5g
— Bivabasu Kumar (@caesarkumar) February 24, 2024
This transformative infrastructure initiative is poised to considerably reduce commute times for passengers, especially along the Green Line, which currently spans a limited distance between Sector V in east Kolkata and Phoolbagan. With the new under-river tunnel, the metro train will cover an extended route from Sector V to Howrah in just 27 minutes, enhancing connectivity and convenience for commuters.
In a bid to ensure uninterrupted connectivity for metro passengers, Airtel has announced plans to install high-capacity nodes 35 meters below the surface of the Hooghly River. This commitment further underscores the collaborative efforts to make Kolkata’s metro system a seamless and efficient mode of transportation for the city’s residents.
Content Contributor: Rehana Sengupta
