Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Kolkata's first underwater metro route on Wednesday, marking a significant milestone in India's infrastructure advancement. Additionally, he initiated various connectivity projects valued at Rs 15,400 crore.
The metro railway services inaugurated by the Prime Minister encompass operations from Kavi Subhash Metro, Majerhat Metro, Kochi Metro, Agra Metro, Meerut-RRTS section, Pune Metro, and the Esplanade section of the Kolkata Metro.
The underwater service is a segment of the Howrah Maidan-Esplanade section within Kolkata Metro's East-West corridor, spanning 16.6 km beneath the Hooghly river. This metro service will establish a connection between Howrah and Salt Lake, the twin cities of West Bengal's state capital. Among the six stations, three will be situated underground.
Anticipated to traverse a 520-meter stretch beneath the Hooghly river in a mere 45 seconds, the underwater metro promises swift connectivity. Accompanied by several school students, the Prime Minister embarked on a journey aboard the underwater metro. In a video captured within the metro train, Prime Minister Modi is seen engaging in conversation with school children seated beside him, while others stand nearby.
He also waved to passengers aboard another metro train as it passed by the one he was riding on. The inauguration ceremony witnessed the presence of top officials and dignitaries.
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The inauguration of this landmark project follows less than a year after Kolkata Metro achieved a historic milestone in April 2023, when it conducted trials by running a train through the underwater tunnel, marking a significant first in India's transportation history.
Apart from inaugurating the underwater metro tunnel, the Prime Minister will also unveil the Kavi Subhash-Hemanta Mukhopadhyay and the Taratala-Majerhat Metro sections in Kolkata today.
Later in the afternoon on Wednesday, he is set to address a public rally in Barasat, located in the North 24 Parganas district.
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