PM Modi Flags Off India’s First Underwater Metro Tunnel in Kolkata
Crossing Kolkata’s broad Hooghly River just got so much easier thanks to technology and the political will to use it.
India is currently the world’s fifth largest economy, but it has a lot of catching up to do in terms of urban physical infrastructure. Thankfully, under the guardianship of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the South Asian nation seems to be somewhat on track in that endeavour. On Wednesday, March 6, 2024, the Indian political leader inaugurated the 16.6 km metro which runs from Kolkata’s Howrah Maidan to Esplanade Station, the total cost of this project having amounted to nearly Rs. 5,000 Crore. Out of the entire commute, almost 11 km runs underground and about 520 metres beneath the Hooghly River.
This metro also connects nearly 5 km between Howrah town and the upscale Salt Lake area. Out of the new metro line’s 6 stations, 3 of them are underground. The metro journey under the river takes a mere 45 seconds to cover, providing quite an incentive for local commuters. Using automatic train operation (ATO) where the motorman just has to press a button to set the train on course for the next station, this metro line is a marvel of modern technology. By July this year, Kolkata metro plans to have the entire East-West route from Howrah Maidan to Salt Lake Sector V up and running.
PM Modi, in the company of several officials and dignitaries, ceremoniously waved a green flag to inaugurate the metro line. Afterwards, he joined several school students onboard the train to experience the journey first hand. This metro project began in 2009, but was marred by several delays including accidents
Signalling Kolkata’s dedication to improving its physical infrastructure, the city also invited PM Modi to lay foundation stones for projects totalling Rs. 15,400 Crore. Hopefully, these will be successful and rewarding investments that are quickly realised. After all, multitudes of busy city residents are eager to get on the move.
