Kolkata’s First Underwater Metro

On March 6, 2024… Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the country’s first underwater metro section. This tunnel was constructed in Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal. The tunnel is a part of the Kolkata Metro’s East-West corridor, built under the Hooghly River.

The underwater metro section, as revealed, spans 16.6 kilometers, connecting the city of Howrah on the western bank of the Hooghly to Salt Lake City on the eastern bank.

What’s remarkable about this underwater metro is that it offers commuters not only a unique experience but also saves them hours of travel time.

You see, Kolkata is a densely populated city, where streets are often clogged with traffic, especially between Howrah and Sealdah, taking people anywhere from an hour to 45 minutes to traverse the distance. With the construction of this underwater metro, ordinary citizens can now find relief from long traffic jams.

It’s a very special day for the people of Kolkata as the city’s metro network gets significantly enhanced. Connectivity will get a boost and traffic will get decongested. It’s a proud moment that the Howrah Maidan-Esplanade Metro section has the first underwater metro… pic.twitter.com/7DYviRa7Tb

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 6, 2024

So, when did the tunnel construction begin?

It took 13 years to construct the underwater metro tunnel. Contracts were awarded to various companies in 2009, and work began in 2010.

During its construction, engineers faced the biggest challenge of building a 520-meter tunnel under the Hooghly River near the Howrah Bridge. This metro tunnel is designed to withstand earthquakes and can immediately detect any water leakage.

Waterproofing proved to be the greatest challenge during the tunnel’s construction.

According to reports, waterproofing was the biggest challenge during the tunnel’s construction. Since the metro tunnel is built 26 meters below the river, ensuring not a single drop of water seeps into the tunnel was crucial.

To accomplish this task, the company responsible for building the tunnel, Afcons, enlisted the help of a Russian company, Trans-Tunnelstroy, to ensure its completion. Company officials claim that the tunnel is prepared in such a way that if even a single drop of water leaks, its gaskets will open.

What is the tunnel made of?

To make the tunnel suitable for underwater use, its concrete was designed with fly ash and micro-silica, making it water-resistant.

Continuous digging work for 67 days

According to a report by The Times of India, continuous digging work was carried out for 67 days to construct the tunnel under the Hooghly River in Kolkata. Engineers say that excavation work began in 2017.

What is the cost of the project?

According to a report by India.com, the total cost of the project is approximately 86 billion rupees. Japan International Cooperation Agency has invested 48.5 percent of the total cost.

When will it be operational for passengers?

According to the news agency PTI, a metro official mentioned that although the tunnel was inaugurated on March 6, it will take some time before it becomes operational for the general public. According to officials, after the underwater metro starts operating, passengers traveling from here will also be provided with the facility of 5G internet.

How much will the fare be?

According to a report in The Economic Times, ticket prices on this route will start from 5 rupees, and depending on the distance to the station, it can go up to 50 rupees. The fare for the first two kilometers will be 5 rupees, then it will increase to 10 rupees, 15 rupees, 20 rupees, 25 rupees, and so on up to 50 rupees.

Who will benefit from the underwater tunnel?

Before the tunnel was built, the picture was such that only the Splendor from Sealdah to Howrah came because of the river in between. But now, four underground metro stations have been completed. Until now, it took an hour for passengers to reach Howrah station, but now they will reach in just a few minutes.

Apart from India, which countries have an underwater metro?

With the inauguration of the underwater tunnel in Kolkata, India has now joined those select countries in the world where underwater metros operate. There are only a few countries in the world where metros run under water. These cities include Paris, New York, Shanghai, and Cairo. Now, Kolkata has been added to this list.

Let’s also take a look at the status of the Kolkata Metro network.

The special thing is that 40 years ago, in 1984, India’s first metro started from Kolkata itself. However, from 1984 to 2014, only 27.99 kilometers of metro network was built in Bengal. After 2014, the metro network in Kolkata started expanding, and today people in almost all areas of the state can travel by metro.

According to a report, from 2020 to 2023, the metro network in the country expanded rapidly. According to metro officials, the most extensive expansion of 14.23 kilometers was recorded in 2022-2023. According to a report in The Indian Express, a metro official said, “There was a 36 percent increase in the current network since the inception of the Kolkata Metro.”

How much has been spent on the Kolkata Metro network?

Between 1972 and 2014, a total of 59.81 billion rupees were spent on all metro projects in Kolkata. Meanwhile, from 2014 to October 2023, a total of 190.43 billion rupees has been spent on completing all ongoing metro projects in the city.

Also Read: India GDP Q3 Data: The Country’s Economy Showed Great Growth, GDP Stood At 8.4 Percent In The Third Quarter.