PM Modi inaugurates India's 1st underwater metro section. Check fares, route

The Kolkata Metro's Howrah Maidan-Esplanade section, is the country's first underwater transportation tunnel.

Published on: Mar 6, 2024, 12:54:51 IST

By HT News Desk

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated India's first underwater metro section in Kolkata. He also took an underwater metro ride with school students in the City of Joy.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on board India's first underwater metro, in Kolkata, Wednesday, (PTI)

The prime minister was welcomed by a huge crowd upon his arrival at the Esplanade metro station. The people were seen chanting ‘Modi Modi’ and ‘Jai Shri Ram’. Modi also laid the foundation stone of multiple connectivity projects worth ₹15,400 crore.

Here are key things you need to know about this underwater metro tunnel:

1. The Kolkata Metro's Howrah Maidan-Esplanade section, is the country's first underwater transportation tunnel. It has the deepest metro station in India, the Howrah metro station at 30 metres.

2. The 4.8 kilometres stretch between the Howrah Maidan and Esplanade is a vital segment of the East-West Metro corridor. It connects key areas including the IT hub Salt Lake Sector V.

3. According to the Metro Railway, the 4.8-km stretch of East-West Metro from Howrah Maidan to Esplanade has been built at a cost of ₹4,965 crore.

4. Of the total 16.6 km of the East-West Metro corridor, 10.8 km is underground, including the tunnel beneath the river, a PTI report stated. There are 12 stations on the entire route

5. The train is expected to traverse the 520-metre stretch under the river in just 45 seconds, not only offering speed but also a seamless and time-efficient mode of transportation, further enhancing Kolkata's connectivity and urban mobility.

6. According to a TOI report, the price of tickets start at ₹5 and can rise to ₹50 as per thes station's distance. The fare is ₹5 for first two kilometres and then rises to ₹10, ₹15, ₹20, ₹25 and then till ₹50.

The PM also inaugurated the Kavi Subhash-Hemanta Mukhopadhyay section of the New Garia-Aiport line and the Taratala-Majerhat section of the Joka-Esplanade line of the Kolkata Metro, the country's oldest metro network.

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HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More