Prime Minister Narendra Modi will unveil the nation’s first underwater metro segment in Kolkata on March 6, marking a historic occasion. The metro tunnel, which runs 16.6 kilometers beneath the Hooghly River, is a magnificent engineering achievement. This tunnel will provide the smooth crossing of a significant river. In addition to providing transportation, the underwater metro project in Kolkata promises to address long-standing problems with air pollution and traffic congestion, creating a more effective and sustainable urban environment. Let’s discuss this topic further in depth in the blog “Diving into Innovation: Kolkata Welcomes India’s First Underwater Metro”. Additionally, to book direct flights to Kolkata from USA, make sure to check out Tripbeam.
Inauguration of India’s First Ever Underwater Metro
On March 6, 2024, an important occasion is going to take place in Kolkata as the entire country launches its first-ever underwater metro service. The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, will likely inaugurate the underwater metro service, heralding an entirely novel phase for metropolitan transportation, if stories are to be believed.
In addition to revolutionizing urban transportation, this event will enable people to travel more quickly and avoid traffic bottlenecks.
The most impressive part of this groundbreaking project is the incredible 16.6 km metro tunnel that runs beneath the Hooghly River. It is an engineering marvel. This tunnel will provide the smooth crossing of a significant river.
The Kolkata underwater metro project proposes to solve long-standing issues with air pollution and traffic congestion in addition to providing transit, resulting in a more efficient and sustainable metropolitan environment.
The underwater metro system, which links the twin cities of Kolkata and Howrah, has six stations, three of which are underground. These stations’ ideal locations serve the city’s busy districts and offer better accessibility for both locals and commuters. Prime Minister Modi will be leading the inauguration ceremony, which is expected to be a lavish event attended by dignitaries, authorities, and a curious public eager to use this ground-breaking metro service.
The Howrah Maidan-Esplanade section of Kolkata’s underwater metro station is particularly noteworthy when examining its details. The Howrah metro station is not only the country’s first tunnel under a major river, but it’s also the deepest. This crucial section of the East-West Metro circuit, spanning 4.8 km under the Hooghly River, will seamlessly connect Howrah Maidan and Esplanade.
In April 2023, the Kolkata Metro made history by successfully operating a train under the tunnel beneath the Hooghly River. This achievement was a significant turning point in India’s transportation history in addition to being a technical one. The metro’s exclusive Automatic Train Operation (ATO) system ensures efficiency by having the train advance automatically to the next station upon the motorman’s button push.
Kolkata Underwater Railway: An Engineering Marvel
Uday Kumar Reddy, General Manager of Kolkata Metro Railway, commented on the underwater metro tunnel segment between Howrah Maidan and Esplanade, saying, “We are traveling approximately 16 meters below the level of the river water.”It’s very amazing. We anticipate seven lakh cyclists each day.”
“This is Bharat ka viksit infrastructure,” said Anil Kumar Khandelwal, a Railway Board member responsible for infrastructure. The appropriate safety precautions are in place in this metro rail tunnel.”
Anticipators anticipate the subterranean Metro to cross the Hooghly River 520 meters underground in 45 seconds. The East-West Metro corridor is currently 16.6 km long, of which 10.8 km is underground due to the Hooghly River tunnel. Contemporary transportation has incorporated into the existing urban environment, evident by the part that still remains above ground. The Majerhat Metro Station is an elevated metro station that stands out for having a canal.
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Providing Insights Into Kolkata’s Underwater Metro Station
- The Howrah Maidan-Esplanade segment of the Kolkata Metro is unique since it features submerged train movement. The deepest metro station in India is located at Howrah.
- The Hooghly River is beneath the part of Howrah Maidan-Esplanade. The east and west banks of this river are home to Salt Lake City and Howrah.
- The first train in India to pass through the tunnel beneath the Hooghly River occurred in April 2023 as part of experiments conducted by Kolkata Metro.
- This portion links the Esplanade to Howrah Maidan and is 4.8 km long. It is a segment of the Salt Lake Sector V IT hub’s East-West Metro corridor, which connects Howrah Maidan.
- The Metro is expected to traverse a 520-meter portion under the Hooghly River in 45 seconds or less.
- The section of the East-West alignment that runs between Sealdah and Esplanade is currently under development. However, the portion from Salt Lake Sector V to Sealdah is already operational. ATO, or Automatic Train Operation, is the system used by the metro. This indicates that the train advances automatically to the next station upon the motorman’s depressing of a button.
- The Hooghly River tunnel is one of 10.8 km of the 16.6 km of underground space that make up the East-West Metro. Everything else is above ground.
- Kolkata Metro hopes to begin commercial service throughout the entire East-West route in June or July, connecting Salt Lake Sector V and Howrah Maidan.
Therefore, as India delves into the future of transportation, the world eagerly awaits the inauguration of this groundbreaking underwater metro service. Book your international flights from USA to India with Tripbeam and experience innovation firsthand.
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