India’s First Underwater Metro Tunnel

PWOnlyIAS March 06, 2024 05:01 3121 0

Explore India's engineering marvel – the first underwater metro tunnel in Kolkata, connecting history, culture, and urban mobility in just 15 minutes.

Context:

Recently, the Indian Prime Minister inaugurated India’s first underwater metro route in Kolkata.

Kolkata Metro: India’s First Underwater Metro Tunnel become reality

First Underwater Metro Tunnel: India achieved a significant milestone in its infrastructure development with the inauguration of the first underwater metro tunnel in Kolkata.
Connecting Places: Underwater Metro metro service will connect twin cities of Kolkata and Howrah.
- Underwater Metro Tunnel is a part of the Howrah Maidan-Esplanade section of Kolkata Metro’s East-West corridor, which will cover a distance of 4.8 km under the Hooghly river.
- It is expected to travel through a 520-metre stretch under the Hooghly in just 45 seconds.
- Three out of six stations will be underground.
- Metro Train Traversing Beneath a River: Tunnel’s lower section is positioned 26 meters below the river’s surface, with trains set to operate 16 meters beneath the riverbed.

History of Kolkata Metro: India’s First Rapid Transit System

About: The Kolkata Metro is a rapid transit system serving the city of Kolkata and the wider Kolkata Metropolitan Region in West Bengal, India.
Length: It is the first operational rapid transit system in India, opening in 1984, and the second busiest and fourth-longest metro network in India as of January 2023.
- It has four operational lines, with a total length of 59.38 km and 48 stations, and three other lines are in various phases of construction.
- The system has a mix of underground, at-grade and elevated stations using both broad-gauge and standard-gauge tracks.
Operationalization: The system is owned and operated by Metro Railway, Kolkata and Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation.
Cost of Project: The project incurred a total cost of Rs 4,965 crore, funded through a loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

About Hooghly River: Lifeline of Bengal, Connecting History, Commerce, and Culture

The underwater metro tunnel passes beneath the Hooghly River, which separates Kolkata and Howrah.

Location: Hooghly River flows through the Indian states of West Bengal and Bihar, serving as a vital waterway in the region.
Geographical Significance: It is a distributary of the Ganges River, branching off from the main river near the city of Kolkata. The Hooghly River is approximately 260 kilometers long, with its mouth located at the Bay of Bengal.
Historical Importance: It served as a crucial trade route during the colonial era, facilitating commerce and transportation of goods to and from the hinterland.
Cultural Heritage: Iconic structures along the banks of the Hooghly River like the Howrah Bridge and the Victoria Memorial contribute to the rich cultural heritage of Kolkata and attract tourists from around the world.
Economic Impact: It supports various industries, including shipping, fishing, and tourism, contributing to the local economy.
Cultural Significance: It is revered as a sacred water body, with rituals performed along its banks during festivals like Chhath Puja and Ganga Sagar Mela.

Underwater Metro Tunnel

Significance of Kolkata Metro: India’s First Underwater Metro Tunnel

The idea of an underwater tunnel stemmed from the need to enhance urban mobility and alleviate congestion in Kolkata and Howrah.

Technological Milestone: The underwater metro tunnel showcases India’s engineering prowess and innovation, demonstrating the nation’s capability to undertake complex infrastructure projects.
Transportation Revolution: The underwater metro section will reduce the travel time between Howrah and Kolkata from an hour to just 15 minutes, and will also ease the pressure on the existing surface transport modes.
Tourism and Economic Boost: The underwater metro section will provide easy access to the heritage and cultural sites of both the cities, and will also boost the tourism and economic activity in the region.
Historic Achievement: India joins the elite club of countries that have underwater metro systems, such as the UK, France, China, and Turkey.

Conclusion:

India’s first underwater metro tunnel in Kolkata stands as a testament to the country’s engineering prowess and commitment to modernizing its infrastructure. The successful completion of this ambitious project underscores the importance of innovative solutions in addressing urban mobility challenges. As India continues to invest in transformative infrastructure projects, the underwater metro tunnel serves as a beacon of progress and development for the nation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

It marks India's first underwater metro tunnel, enhancing urban connectivity between Kolkata and Howrah.

The tunnel spans 4.8 km under the Hooghly River, connecting Howrah Maidan and Esplanade in Kolkata.

The metro is expected to cover a 520-metre stretch under the Hooghly in just 45 seconds.

The lower section is positioned 26 meters below the river's surface, with trains operating 16 meters beneath the riverbed.

The Hooghly River is a vital waterway in West Bengal, serving as a distributary of the Ganges River.

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India’s First Underwater Metro Tunnel

Context:

Kolkata Metro: India’s First Underwater Metro Tunnel become reality

History of Kolkata Metro: India’s First Rapid Transit System

About Hooghly River: Lifeline of Bengal, Connecting History, Commerce, and Culture

Significance of Kolkata Metro: India’s First Underwater Metro Tunnel

Conclusion:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the significance of the underwater metro tunnel in Kolkata?

How long is the underwater metro tunnel and what is its route?

How fast will the metro travel through the underwater tunnel?

How deep is the lower section of the tunnel beneath the river's surface?

What is the historical significance of the Hooghly River?

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