Kolkata Launches India’s First Underwater Metro Service for Public Use

Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, saw the opening of India’s first underwater metro line on Friday. Passengers were seen lining up for the opportunity to take a ride on the nation’s very first underwater train ride. Raise your hands if you’ve seen people clapping and shouting “Vande Bharat” and “Bharat Mata ki Jai” while riding the nation’s first underwater metro train—an engineering marvel. At seven in the morning today, a train departed from the Howrah Maidan station on Kolkata’s East-West metro corridor. At the same moment, another train departed from the Esplanade station. Beneath the Hooghly River lies the Howrah Maidan-Esplanade segment of Kolkata’s metropolitan transport system. The tunnel’s subterranean segment spans 520 meters.

Metro Railway Kolkata posted on social media platform X, “First commercial #Metro service entering newly inaugurated #Majerhat station of #PurpleLine this morning…”
https://x.com/metrorailwaykol/status/1768486446426722654?s=20
A placard held by one commuter said, “Thank you very much Modi ji for making India proud.”

“I am so excited to travel in India’s first underwater metro train,” remarked a fellow passenger. Getting the tickets took less than ten minutes.” The lower portion of the Hooghly River is indicated by blue LED lights inside the underwater metro tunnel. On weekdays, the Kolkata underwater metro is expected to run in this section every 12 to 15 minutes. At 9.45 p.m., there is one last metro of the day available in both directions. On March 6, Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially opened Kolkata’s metro system. Along with schoolchildren, he rode the metro after the inauguration. He had conversations with them and the metro employees on the way.

The Prime Minister also officially opened the Taratala – Majerhat Metro section and the Kavi Subhash – Hemanta Mukhopadhyay Metro section, both of which are a part of the Joka-Esplanade line. These were in addition to the underwater metro. The latter includes the architecturally stunning Majerhat Metro Station, an elevated station that spans platforms, railroad lines, and a canal. It further exemplifies the creative strategy for enhancing urban mobility. Additionally, the Prime Minister dedicated and laid the groundwork for several connectivity projects totaling Rs 15,400 crore.

PM Modi also mentioned a number of other significant national projects. These include the Agra Metro’s route from Taj East Gate to Mankameshwar, the Pune Metro’s stretch from Ruby Hall Clinic to Ramwadi, the Kochi Metro Rail Phase I Extension from SN Junction Metro station to Tripunithura Metro station, and the Pune Metro and Esplanade Metro- Kolkata.