On Wednesday, PM Narendra Modi inaugurated India’s first underwater metro section in Kolkata, the Howrah Maidan-Esplanade stretch, marking a significant milestone in the country’s transportation history.
This section features the deepest metro station in India, the Howrah metro station, situated 30 metres below ground. Covering 4.8 kilometres, it’s a crucial part of the East-West Metro corridor, linking areas like Salt Lake Sector V, an IT hub. The project cost approximately ₹4,965 crore, with 10.8 kilometres of the total 16.6-kilometre corridor underground, including the river tunnel.
The underwater journey spans 520 metres and takes just 45 seconds, promising rapid and efficient transportation. Ticket prices range from ₹5 to ₹50 depending on the distance, with fares escalating from ₹5 for the first two kilometres.
The inauguration also included the Kavi Subhash-Hemanta Mukhopadhyay section of the New Garia-Airport line and the Taratala-Majerhat section of the Joka-Esplanade line, expanding Kolkata’s metro network.
During the inauguration, PM Modi rode the underwater metro with school students amidst enthusiastic crowds chanting slogans. He also laid the foundation stone for connectivity projects worth ₹15,400 crores, highlighting the government’s commitment to improving infrastructure. This development not only enhances Kolkata’s connectivity and urban mobility but also signifies a leap in India’s transportation technology and infrastructure.
