PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the Howrah Maidan-Esplanade section of Kolkata Metro’s East-West corridor, marking India’s debut in underwater Metro services. Costing ₹4,965 crore, the 4.8-km stretch features India’s deepest Metro station at Howrah, situated 30 meters below ground level. The corridor aims to connect significant areas, including the IT hub Salt Lake Sector V. While the inauguration occurred today, passenger services will commence at a later date, according to Central Railways. During the visit, the PM also initiated other train services in Kolkata, emphasizing efforts to enhance urban mobility, such as the Kavi Subhash-Hemanta Mukhopadhyay and Taratala-Majerhat Metro sections.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate India’s inaugural under-river metro tunnel in Kolkata on Wednesday. This momentous occasion heralds a transformative leap in urban transportation, as PM Modi unveils key metro and rapid transit projects nationwide, signaling a significant advancement in urban mobility and connectivity.
The Kolkata Metro extension, encompassing the Howrah Maidan-Esplanade Metro section, introduces India’s first transportation tunnel beneath a major river, symbolizing a pivotal achievement in the nation’s infrastructure progress. Beyond showcasing the technological expertise behind its construction, this section underscores the strategic significance of linking two bustling areas of Kolkata, enhancing the efficiency and reach of the city’s public transportation network.
Today is the day when P.M Modi will inaugurate India's first UNDERWATER metro rail service in Kolkata ( Howrah Maidan to Esplanade )
It's also the deepest metro service in India.
An engineering Marvel ✨#UnderwaterMetro pic.twitter.com/5rfXRHyle1
— Mr_Perfect (@me_puskar_) March 6, 2024
In addition to the underwater metro, the Prime Minister will also inaugurate the Kavi Subhash – Hemanta Mukhopadhyay Metro section and the Taratala – Majerhat Metro section, integral parts of the Joka-Esplanade line. The latter introduces the Majerhat Metro Station, an architectural marvel with its elevated structure spanning railway lines, platforms, and a canal, exemplifying an innovative approach to urban mobility improvement.
The inauguration extends beyond Kolkata, as PM Modi is set to kick off several other vital projects nationwide. These include the Pune Metro’s stretch from Ruby Hall Clinic to Ramwadi, the Kochi Metro Rail Phase I Extension from SN Junction Metro station to Tripunithura Metro station, the Agra Metro’s stretch from Taj East Gate to Mankameshwar, and the Duhai-Modinagar (North) section of the Delhi-Meerut RRTS Corridor.
Each of these projects aims to alleviate road traffic congestion significantly, providing seamless, efficient, and comfortable connectivity for the public. For instance, the Agra Metro’s newly inaugurated section enhances access to the city’s historical and tourist sites, while the RRTS corridor seeks to stimulate economic activity within the National Capital Region (NCR).
Furthermore, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for the extension of the Pune Metro Rail project’s first phase between Pimpri Chinchwad Metro-Nigdi, promising continued expansion and enhancement of urban transit infrastructure.
This comprehensive initiative underscores the government’s commitment to developing sustainable and efficient transportation networks across India, with the goal of revolutionizing commuting, reducing environmental impact, and fostering economic growth through improved connectivity.
Later in the day, PM Modi will lay the foundation stone, dedicate, and inaugurate various infrastructure-related projects, including rail, road, and petroleum and natural gas, with an estimated value of around Rs. 12,800 crore at Bettiah, West Champaran district in Bihar.
PM Modi’s visit spans Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, West Bengal, and Bihar from March 4 to 6, reflecting the government’s dedication to nationwide development.
