In a significant development for transportation in India, Kolkata is gearing up to unveil its pioneering underwater Metro train, bridging the gap between the twin cities of Kolkata and Howrah. Building on the success of the country’s first Metro railway launched in Kolkata back in 1984, this groundbreaking project is set to captivate the nation.
The East West Metro corridor stretches from Salt Lake Sector V, an IT hub in the east, to Howrah Maidan in the west, traversing the mighty Hooghly River. Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation’s General Manager (Civil), Sanjay Banerjee, shared his enthusiasm during a media interaction in the city, emphasizing the Metro’s objective to seamlessly connect Kolkata and Howrah.
With a corridor spanning 16.55 km, a significant portion measuring 9.3 km from Salt Lake Sector-V to Sealdah has already been made accessible to the public. The remaining 7.25 km will witness the completion of the 4.80 km Howrah Maidan-Esplanade route, featuring an impressive underwater tunnel spanning almost half a kilometer under the Hooghly river, set to commence operations by December 2023.
To shed light on the project’s financials, Banerjee revealed that the total cost amounts to Rs 8600 crore, with the underwater tunneling component accounting for Rs 90 crore. Situated 16 meters below the river bed, the twin tunnels extend 520 meters, offering passengers a mere one-minute journey to traverse the entire length.
The realization of this vision owes its credit to the implementation of Earth Pressure Balancing Tunnel Boring Machines, launched from Howrah Maidan and retrieved at Esplanade. Once operational, the Kolkata underwater Metro will proudly hold the distinction of being the first of its kind in India, revolutionizing the country’s transportation landscape.
This ambitious project will bring immense relief to hundreds of thousands of commuters, providing direct links between the bustling Howrah and Sealdah railway stations, as well as the north-south line of the Kolkata Metro at Esplanade. The completion of this monumental endeavor promises enhanced convenience and seamless connectivity for all.
The underwater metro train has drawn comparisons to the iconic Eurostar, renowned for linking London and Paris. As India embraces this technological marvel, the Kolkata-Howrah underwater Metro train is poised to become a symbol of innovation and progress in the country.
In conclusion, Kolkata is on the cusp of witnessing history once again as it prepares to launch India’s first-ever underwater Metro train, creating an unprecedented connection between the twin cities of Kolkata and Howrah. Commuters can look forward to seamless travel, reduced congestion, and enhanced accessibility as this remarkable project nears completion.
