India is set to achieve a historic milestone with the inauguration of its first-ever underwater metro tunnel in Kolkata on March 6, 2024. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the inauguration ceremony, marking a significant leap in the country’s transportation infrastructure. The underwater metro tunnel, a part of the Kolkata Metro’s East-West corridor, stretches over 16.6 kilometers and connects Howrah Maidan to Esplanade.
Anticipating a substantial daily ridership of 7 lakh commuters, the Kolkata Metro Railway General Manager envisions a bustling transportation hub with trains traveling 16 meters below the river water level. This groundbreaking project not only marks the first tunnel under a major river in India but also holds the distinction of being the country’s deepest underground metro section. The 4.8-kilometer stretch beneath the River Hooghly boasts six stations, including three underground stations, seamlessly integrating with the city’s urban landscape.
Uday Kumar Reddy, General Manager of Kolkata Metro Railway, hailed the underwater metro tunnel as a marvel of engineering, emphasizing the meticulous safety features incorporated into its design. Anil Kumar Khandelwal, Member-Infrastructure, Railway Board, echoed this sentiment, describing the project as a testament to India’s developed infrastructure.
The underwater metro promises swift and efficient travel, covering a 520-meter stretch under the River Hooghly in a mere 45 seconds. With 10.8 kilometers situated underground, including the Hooghly River tunnel, the East-West Metro corridor exemplifies the fusion of modern transportation with Kolkata’s rich heritage. The Majerhat Metro Station, uniquely elevated, further enhances the city’s connectivity, integrating seamlessly with existing waterways.
Notably, the East-West Metro station at Howrah is poised to become India’s largest, towering over the landscape like a 10-storey building. Excavated to a depth of 30.5 meters to align with the 40-meter deep under-river tunnels, the station embodies the project’s ambitious scope and scale.
The completion of the Esplanade-Sealdah stretch is eagerly awaited, with the Salt Lake Sector V to Sealdah segment already operational. Employing an Automatic Train Operation (ATO) system, the Kolkata Metro ensures efficient and safe operations, ushering in a new era of urban transportation.
Described as a gift from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the people of Kolkata, the inauguration of the underwater metro tunnel represents the realization of a long-cherished dream. With commercial operations expected to commence between Salt Lake Sector V and Howrah Maidan by June-July, Kolkata Metro is on track to revolutionize urban mobility and set new benchmarks in transportation infrastructure.
In April 2023, Kolkata Metro made history with the successful passage of a rake through the Hooghly River tunnel, laying the foundation for future advancements in India’s metro network.