In a significant boost to urban infrastructure and connectivity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for multiple landmark projects across the country, totaling an investment of Rs 15,400 crores, during his visit to Kolkata, West Bengal, on Wednesday.
Highlighting the inauguration was India’s pioneering under-river metro tunnel in Kolkata, a part of the city’s ambitious metro extension project. This engineering marvel, which runs beneath the Hooghly River, connects Howrah Maidan with Esplanade, thereby linking two of the city’s most vibrant areas. The project underscores India’s growing capabilities in complex infrastructure development and is expected to significantly enhance urban mobility in Kolkata.
Alongside the under-river tunnel, Prime Minister Modi also unveiled the Kavi Subhash – Hemanta Mukhopadhyay Metro section and the Taratala – Majerhat Metro section of the Joka-Esplanade line. The Majerhat Metro Station, noted for its unique design over railway lines and a canal, was among the highlighted inaugurated structures, showcasing innovative solutions in urban transport.
The prime minister’s commitment to advancing public transportation extended beyond West Bengal, with several other projects flagged off across India. These included new sections of the Pune Metro, the Kochi Metro Rail Phase I Extension, the Agra Metro, and a segment of the Delhi-Meerut Rapid Rail Transit System (RRTS) Corridor, marking a historic day for urban mobility in the country.
The initiatives align with the government’s focus on enhancing connectivity and infrastructure to foster economic growth and improve the quality of life for citizens. Prime Minister Modi’s subsequent engagements in Bihar, where he is set to inaugurate and lay the foundation for projects worth Rs. 12,800 crore, further reflect the nationwide push towards comprehensive development.
The series of inaugurations and foundation stone layings across states underscore the government’s commitment to building a modern, connected India. Prime Minister Modi’s three-day tour through Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, West Bengal, and Bihar exemplifies this vision, promising a future of improved connectivity and urban development.
