under-river metro

1. India’s first under-river metro station in Kolkata to be inaugurated by PM Modi on March 6.
2. The project involves constructing a tunnel beneath Kolkata’s Hooghly River, linking Howrah Maidan to Esplanade.
3. This milestone marks a significant advancement in India’s urban infrastructure development.

Kolkata, March 06: India is set to achieve a significant milestone with the inauguration of its first under-river metro station in Kolkata on Wednesday, March 6, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

This groundbreaking project involves the construction of a metro tunnel beneath Kolkata’s Hooghly River, connecting Howrah Maidan to Esplanade.

Here are eight key points to know about Kolkata’s underwater metro station:

  1. Kolkata Metro’s Howrah Maidan-Esplanade section marks the first transportation tunnel constructed under any major river in India. The Howrah metro station, part of this section, holds the distinction of being the deepest metro station in the country.
  2. The Howrah Maidan-Esplanade section of the metro passes beneath the River Hooghly, connecting the cities of Kolkata and Howrah on the east and west banks, respectively.
  3. This project represents a historic moment for Kolkata Metro, as it became the first metro system in India to run a train through a tunnel beneath a river when it achieved this feat in April 2023.
  4. Stretching over 4.8 kilometers, the Howrah Maidan-Esplanade section forms a crucial part of the East-West Metro corridor, which extends from Howrah Maidan to the IT hub Salt Lake Sector V.
  5. The metro train is expected to cover a 520-meter distance under the Hooghly River in just 45 seconds, highlighting the efficiency and speed of Kolkata’s metro system.
  6. While the Esplanade-Sealdah stretch of the East-West alignment is still under construction, the Salt Lake Sector V to Sealdah stretch is already operational, providing commuters with enhanced connectivity.
  7. The Kolkata Metro operates on an Automatic Train Operation (ATO) system, enabling trains to move automatically between stations after the motorman initiates the departure process.
  8. Out of the total 16.6 kilometers of the East-West Metro alignment, 10.8 kilometers consist of an underground corridor between Howrah Maidan and Phoolbagan, including the tunnel beneath the Hooghly River. The remaining stretch is elevated.
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The Kolkata Metro aims to commence commercial operations on the entire route of the East-West alignment between Salt Lake Sector V and Howrah Maidan by June-July, providing residents and visitors with a modern and efficient mode of transportation across the city.