Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked a transformation in India’s public transport system with the inauguration of various projects in Kolkata, West Bengal, on March 6, including India’s first underwater metro service. This visit was part of his 10-day itinerary across 12 states and UTs and followed a recent trip to West Bengal five days prior. The Prime Minister inaugurated the Howrah Maidan-Esplanade section of Kolkata’s East-West Metro corridor, which features the nation’s deepest metro station situated 30 meters below ground level and the groundbreaking underwater metro route that runs 16 meters beneath the Hooghly River.
In a slew of infrastructural enhancements, Modi also launched several other Metro projects such as the Kavi Subhash-Hemanta Mukhopadhyay and Taratala-Majerhat sections. Additionally, the inauguration spanned projects across Pune, Kochi, Agra, and the Delhi-Meerut corridor. A public rally was scheduled at Barasat in North 24 Parganas district, complementing his engagement in West Bengal where he previously attended rallies and met Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
The underwater metro sector represents a significant feat, with the metro traversing a 520-meter underwater stretch in approximately 45 seconds. In April 2023, Kolkata Metro had already achieved a breakthrough with a successful trial run of a train through the underwater tunnel. The overall stretch includes 10.8 kilometers underground, aiming to alleviate congestion and improve urban connectivity in the metropolis. This initiative not only highlights infrastructure progress but also showcases the central government’s commitment to enhancing the quality of life and transit in urban landscapes.