India’s First Underwater Metro Tunnel Inaugurated In Kolkata, Connecting Howrah And Esplanade

Kolkata, already known as the pioneer of India’s metro system in 1984, has once again set a national benchmark. With the inauguration of India’s first underwater metro tunnel, the city has joined a select group of global metropolises with advanced sub-river transport infrastructure.

Engineering Marvel

• The underwater section spans 520 metres beneath the Hooghly river, at a depth of 30 metres from ground level.
• Two parallel tunnels were constructed for onward and return journeys, using advanced boring and concrete engineering.
• The Howrah Metro Station, at 33 metres below the surface, is now the deepest metro station in India.

Connectivity Breakthrough

• The new line connects Howrah Maidan to Esplanade, reducing travel time between Kolkata and Howrah to less than one minute.
• Previously, commuters relied on ferries or road routes, which could take 20 minutes to an hour.
• The full East-West Metro corridor stretches 16.6 km, linking Howrah Maidan to Salt Lake Sector V, Kolkata’s IT hub.

Public Response

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the line on March 6, 2024, with commercial operations starting on March 15, 2024.
• On the first day, 70,000 passengers used the underwater stretch, with 23,444 boarding at Howrah Maidan and 20,923 at Howrah station.
• The project fulfilled a 53-year-old dream, first envisioned in the 1970s.

Future Impact

• The underwater metro is expected to ease congestion on the Howrah Bridge and road networks.
• It strengthens Kolkata’s position as a transport innovation hub in India.
• The project is seen as a lifeline for commuters, boosting economic activity and accessibility across the twin cities.

Metro Milestone Highlights

•⁠  ⁠India’s first underwater metro tunnel inaugurated in Kolkata

•⁠  ⁠520-metre stretch runs 30 metres below Hooghly river

•⁠  ⁠Howrah Metro Station is India’s deepest at 33 metres underground

•⁠  ⁠Travel time between Kolkata and Howrah reduced to under one minute

•⁠  ⁠Over 70,000 passengers rode the line on opening day

•⁠  ⁠East-West Metro corridor connects Howrah Maidan to Salt Lake Sector V

Sources: News18, The Statesman, India Habitat Centre official schedule