Underwater Metro started for the first time today in India. PM Modi inaugurated the Underwater Metro during his visit to Kolkata.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on a tour of West Bengal on Wednesday. During this, the PM inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of several connectivity projects worth Rs 15,400 crore in the capital Kolkata. In addition, the Prime Minister reviewed all ongoing metro projects. During his tour, PM Modi flagged off six new metro trains. It also includes India’s first underwater metro rail project. This project has started between Howrah Maidan and Esplanade.
With this, the first tunnel under the river in India will also be opened for traffic. After the inauguration, the Prime Minister also rode the underwater metro rail. Moreover, He also interacted with shramiks and school children on his metro journey.
Underwater Metro Rail Project
The recently inaugurated Underwater Metro Project in Kolkata is a significant feat of engineering and a major milestone for India’s infrastructure development. The project boasts the first transportation tunnel ever built under a major river in India.
The underwater metro rail is part of the East-West Metro corridor. The work on this corridor in Kolkata started in 2009. India’s first underwater metro rail service will start in March 2024.
Passengers will get many facilities in the underwater metro. Ticket prices will range from Rs 5 to Rs 50. Howrah Maidan metro station is built under the Hooghly River under the East-West Metro Corridor project. Howrah Maidan, built 33 meters below the station surface, is the deepest metro station in India.
- Project Overview: The underwater metro project in Kolkata aimed to create an underwater tunnel beneath the Hooghly River, connecting the eastern and western parts of the city. This would significantly ease the traffic congestion and provide a faster mode of transportation for commuters.
- Technical Details: The project involved the construction of a tunnel beneath the riverbed using advanced engineering techniques. The tunnel would accommodate metro trains, enabling seamless connectivity between the two banks of the river.
- Stretching across the Hooghly River:Â The tunnel is part of the East-West Metro corridor, spanning a total length of 10.8 kilometres, with a 520-meter stretch running underneath the Hooghly River.
- Deepest metro station in India:Â The Howrah Maidan station, located on the Howrah side of the river, holds the distinction of being the deepest metro station in India, reaching a depth of 30 meters.
Benefits and Impact
- Benefits: Once completed, the underwater metro would offer a quicker and more efficient mode of transportation for residents. Furthermore, it will reduce travel time between the eastern and western parts of Kolkata. It would also alleviate traffic congestion on the surface roads and bridges.
- Environmental Impact: Environmental concerns, such as the impact on river ecosystems and water quality, were likely taken into consideration during the planning and execution phases of the project.
- Economic Impact: The project was expected to boost economic development in Kolkata. Moreover, it will improve connectivity and facilitate the movement of people and goods across the city.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the historic project on March 6, 2024, marking a significant step forward in enhancing urban mobility and connectivity in Kolkata. The successful completion of the Underwater Metro Project signifies India’s growing prowess in undertaking complex infrastructure projects and paves the way for further advancements in the country’s transportation sector.