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).

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.