India’s first Metro Railways was started in Kolkata of West Bengal and years after, the Metro channels spread through a few other states of India. But now, Kolkata has set a new landmark. On 6 March, 2024, India’s first underwater Metro was inaugurated by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Adding a new feather to the crown, Kolkata has achieved this unique new Metro channel after years.
The Howrah Maidan-Esplanade section, one of the busiest route of Kolkatahas now a groundbreaking addition to the metropolitan transportation network and is acclaimed as India’s first metro tunnel beneath a significant river.
This underwater marvel, situated beneath the Hooghly River that divides Kolkata and Howrah, boasts the country’s deepest metro station, the Howrah Metro Station.
Researchers say, this unique underwater transportation system, akin to London’s, was initially proposed by the British in 1921. Kolkata’s the very new 4.8-km stretch of the East-West Metro from Howrah Maidan to Esplanade was built at a cost of Rs. 4,965 crore.
Before the inauguration, a trial journey was also conducted in April 2023 that marked a significant milestone for the Kolkata Metro, navigating a tunnel 32 meters below the water level.
The PM Modi was welcomed by a huge crowd and people were seen chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram’ and ‘Modi Modi’ at Esplanade metro station, in Kolkata. After the inauguration, the PM Modi took a ride in the underwater metroalong with some school students in Kolkata. The students were very much excited to enjoy a ride with the Prime Minister. The students sat in India’s first underwater metro train at Mahakaran Metro Station.
Quick Things to Know about Kolkata’s New Underwater Metro:
- Kolkata’s new underwater Metro is 16.6 km long. About 10.8 km runs underground from Howrah Maidan to Phoolbagan, including the tunnel under the Hooghly River, making it the deepest in the country. The rest is above ground.
- This Metro channel has now six stations containing three underground and three above the ground.
- The Metro covers a 520 m river stretch in just 45 seconds which is a very much quick and relia mode of transportation.
- The Automatic Train Operation (ATO), helps the trains to advance to the next station when the motorman presses a button.
- The ticket prices for the underwater Metro start at just Rs 5 for the first two km. Then, it goes up in easy tiers of Rs 5, Rs 10, Rs 15, Rs 20, Rs 25, and so on – reaching a maximum of Rs 50.
This Metro service will soon be availed for the commoners.