Kolkata, India has made history by successfully running its first-ever underwater train. The Kolkata Metro has completed its maiden journey from Howrah Maidan to Esplanade station, marking a significant milestone for the country's transportation sector. This achievement has put India on the map, following in the footsteps of the Eurostar's London-Paris corridor, making Kolkata the first city in India to have a tunnel that passes under a river.

Metro Railway General Manager, P Uday Kumar Reddy, expressed his elation and pride in the team responsible for this engineering feat. He said, "Trial runs between Howrah Maidan and Esplanade station will be conducted for the next five to seven months, following which regular services on this stretch will begin." The trial runs will ensure that the metro operates safely and reliably, with a high level of efficiency and comfort.

The underwater tunnel is 13 meters below the riverbed and 33 meters below ground level. It reportedly has four stations: Esplanade, Mahakaran, Howrah, and Howrah Maidan. It will take just 45 seconds to cross the tunnel, offering a faster and more convenient transportation option. The 520-meter tunnel is part of the East West Metro Corridor of Kolkata, which stretches from the IT hub of Salt Lake Sector V in the east to Howrah Maidan in the west across the river.

The new metro route between Howrah and Sealdah will significantly cut down travel time, reducing it to 40 minutes from 1.5 hours by road. It will also ease congestion at both ends, making transportation more efficient and comfortable for all. The construction of the tunnel from Howrah Maidan to Esplanade faced several challenges as it passes through very congested areas along the Brabourne Road in the Burrabazar area. Several century-old houses in the area had to shift residents to hotels during the underground work there.

Despite these challenges, the project was completed successfully, and the team behind the project deserves high praise for their hard work and dedication. The underground water seepage also caused cracks in 12 buildings at Madan Dutta Lane in Bowbazar last year, further complicating the project's progress. However, the team worked tirelessly to address these issues and deliver a quality product.

Once the trial runs and the Commissioner of Railway Safety's inspection are completed, commercial services will begin, making this tunnel and the metro route between Howrah and Sealdah operational. The Kolkata Metro will cover the 520-meter stretch under the Hooghly River in just 45 seconds, making it one of the fastest and most convenient transportation options available in Kolkata.

The completion of the East-West Metro project has been delayed owing to accidents in the Bowbazar area of central Kolkata. However, with the successful completion of the underwater tunnel, we can expect this project to be completed soon, offering the residents of Kolkata a faster, safer, and more comfortable transportation option.

Out of the 16.6 km length of the East-West Metro, the underground corridor constitutes 10.8 km between Howrah Maidan and Phoolbagan, with the tunnel passing below the Hooghly River. The remaining stretch is the elevated corridor, which adds to the convenience of the passengers.

Uday Kumar Reddy thanked all the staff and engineers of KMRCL for their efforts and supervision of the engineering marvel that has been achieved. This project would not have been possible without their dedication and hard work, and their contributions to the transportation sector of India are invaluable.

In conclusion, the successful completion of the underwater tunnel of Kolkata Metro is a significant achievement for India's transportation sector. The Kolkata Metro's fast, efficient, and safe transportation options will significantly benefit the people of Kolkata, making it a more livable and convenient city.

References:

‘Historic moment’: First in India, Kolkata Metro runs under water | Watch

Kolkata Metro creates history with successful India’s first underwater test run below bed of Hooghly – Watch Video

A Milestone: Trial Run Of India's First Underwater Metro Starts In Kolkata's East-West Corridor, Commercial Operations To Begin This Year

Underwater Metro Kolkata: Metro runs under water for the first time in India - Here is all you need to know

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Kolkata Metro runs below Hooghly, first in country to undertake underwater journey