Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday unveiled multiple metro projects across the country, including India’s first underwater metro line in Kolkata. The 16.6-kilometre-long corridor will connect Howrah and Salt Lake, two of the most populous and important areas of the city. The project is expected to ease traffic congestion, enhance connectivity and boost economic activity in the region.
The underwater metro line is part of the East-West Corridor of the Kolkata Metro, which was conceived in 1971 but faced several delays and challenges due to technical and environmental issues. The project involves constructing a tunnel under the Hooghly River, which is a tributary of the Ganges and a lifeline for millions of people. The tunnel is 520 metres long and 32 metres deep, making it the first transportation tunnel under any mighty river in India .
The project also has the deepest metro station in the country at Howrah, which is 30 metres below the ground level. The station is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities such as escalators, elevators, platform screen doors, fire detection and suppression systems, CCTV cameras and public address systems. The station also has a museum that showcases the history and heritage of the Hooghly River and the Kolkata Metro.
The underwater metro line was inaugurated by PM Modi along with several school students, who took a ride on the train from Esplanade to Howrah Maidan . PM Modi interacted with the students and the metro staff and praised their enthusiasm and dedication. He also said that the underwater metro line is a symbol of India’s progress and innovation.
The underwater metro line is one of the several metro projects that PM Modi inaugurated on Wednesday. He also launched metro services in Kanpur, Agra, Surat, Kochi and Chennai through video conferencing. He said that these projects will improve urban mobility, reduce pollution and create employment opportunities for the youth.
PM Modi said that his government is committed to developing world-class infrastructure in the country and making public transport more accessible and affordable for the common people. He said that in the last seven years, his government has expanded the metro network by more than 400 kilometres across 18 cities. He also said that his government is working on several other metro projects in various cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Nagpur, Pune, Ahmedabad, Jaipur and Bhopal.
PM Modi said that these metro projects are not only enhancing the convenience and comfort of the people but also contributing to the growth and development of the country. He said that these projects are creating new opportunities for local industries, businesses and skilled workers. He also said that these projects are promoting the use of clean energy sources such as solar power and reducing the carbon footprint of the cities.
PM Modi said that these metro projects are also reflecting the culture and diversity of India. He said that each metro station has a unique design and theme that showcases the local art, architecture, history and heritage of the region. He said that these metro stations are not only transit points but also tourist attractions.
PM Modi congratulated all the stakeholders involved in these metro projects and urged them to maintain high standards of safety, quality and service. He also appealed to the people to use public transport more often and support the government’s efforts to make India a modern and prosperous nation.
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