PM Modi inaugurates ‘Underwater Metro’ in Kolkata, West Bengal

March 6, 2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India’s first underwater metro route in Kolkata today, marking a significant milestone in the country’s infrastructure development. This underwater service is part of the Howrah Maidan-Esplanade section of the Kolkata Metro’s East-West corridor, spanning 16.6 km beneath the Hooghly River.

The newly-constructed tunnel’s lower section is positioned 26 meters below the river’s surface, with trains set to operate 16 meters beneath the riverbed. This marks India’s first transportation initiative featuring a metro train traversing beneath a river.

According to the Ministry of Railways, approximately 10.8 kilometers of the route will be subterranean, while 5.75 kilometers will be elevated on a viaduct. The ministry noted that this project will significantly alleviate traffic congestion in Kolkata.

PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the Howrah Maidan-Esplanade section of Kolkata Metro’s East-West corridor, signalling India’s first venture into underwater Metro services. According to an official release, the 4.8-km stretch of the East-West Metro has been built at a cost of ₹4,965 crore and will have the deepest Metro station in India at Howrah – 30 metres below the ground level. The corridor will help connect key areas such as the IT hub Salt Lake Sector V.