In a remarkable stride towards revolutionizing urban transportation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a momentous journey across India, inaugurating a series of groundbreaking metro and rapid transit projects. The highlight of his tour was the inauguration of India’s first underwater metro train in Kolkata, West Bengal.
Accompanied by school students, PM Modi embarked on a historic ride aboard the underwater metro train, interacting with both students and metro staff. The inauguration ceremony witnessed an overwhelming reception from the public, with chants of ‘Jai Shri Ram’ and ‘Modi Modi’ echoing through the Esplanade metro station.
The underwater metro project, a significant milestone in India’s infrastructure development, features the Howrah Maidan-Esplanade Metro section, boasting the country’s first transportation tunnel passing beneath a major river. This groundbreaking initiative not only showcases technological prowess but also enhances Kolkata’s public transportation network’s efficiency and reach.
In addition to the underwater metro, PM Modi inaugurated several other key metro sections, including the Kavi Subhash – Hemanta Mukhopadhyay Metro section and the Taratala – Majerhat Metro section, as part of the Joka-Esplanade line. The latter includes the Majerhat Metro Station, an architectural marvel spanning railway lines, platforms, and a canal, exemplifying innovation in urban mobility.
The inauguration event extended beyond Kolkata, with PM Modi flagging off significant projects across the country. Notable inaugurations include the Pune Metro’s Ruby Hall Clinic to Ramwadi stretch, the Kochi Metro Rail Phase I Extension, and the Agra Metro’s Taj East Gate to Mankameshwar stretch.
Later in the day, PM Modi is scheduled to lay the foundation stone and dedicate various infrastructure projects related to rail, road, petroleum, and natural gas in Bettiah, West Champaran district, Bihar, collectively worth around Rs. 12,800 crore.
PM Modi’s three-day visit to states including Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, West Bengal, and Bihar, from March 4 to 6, underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing connectivity and infrastructure across the nation.
