PM Modi unveils India’s first underwater metro route connecting Howrah and Salt Lake

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Kolkata's inaugural underwater metro route today. The development unfolds as a key chapter in the evolution of the nation's transit systems.

This underwater route connects the twin cities of Howrah and Salt Lake in West Bengal's state capital. Comprising three subaqueous stations, the metro traverses a 520-metre stretch beneath the Hooghly River in just 45 seconds, promising a seamless commute between the two bustling locales. Out of six stations, three will be underground.

He also laid the foundation stone of multiple connectivity projects worth ₹15,400 crore. 

PM Modi, in a symbolic gesture, embarked on a metro ride from Esplanade to Howrah Maidan alongside school students. Accompanied by the state BJP President Sukanta Majumder and Bengal's Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, the Prime Minister engaged with the metro's workforce, during the inaugural ride through the aquatic tunnel.

This event echoes the historic achievement in April 2023 when the Kolkata Metro accomplished the first-ever underwater tunnel train trial in India. Adding an intriguing twist, the inaugural ride featured students from various schools, sharing the excitement of this transformative metro journey.

The newly constructed tunnel, meticulously plunges 26 metres beneath the river's surface, with the trains navigating 16 metres below the riverbed. This  initiative marks a historic leap in India's transportation landscape, introducing a metro train navigating beneath a flowing river.

As per the Ministry of Railways, approximately 10.8 kilometres of the route will unfold underground, complemented by 5.75 kilometres elevated on a viaduct. This strategic initiative is poised to alleviate Kolkata's traffic congestion significantly, offering a respite to the bustling metropolis.

The project faced delays attributed to incidents during tunnelling in central Kolkata's Bowbazar. Following this underwater tunnel, PM Modi is set to unveil the Kavi Subhash-Hemanta Mukhopadhyay and Taratala-Majerhat Metro sections in Kolkata, concluding the day with a public rally in Barasat, North 24 Parganas district.

The Prime Minister's visit also included a stop at the Ramakrishna Mission Seva Pratishthan, where Swami Smarananandaji Maharaj, the president of Ramakrishna Math and Mission, is currently undergoing treatment.