Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened India's first under-river metro tunnel in Kolkata today, 6th March. The metro tunnel has been constructed under Kolkata's Hooghly River that will connect Howrah Maidan to Esplanade. 

The under-river metro tunnel spans 4.8 kilometers, linking the east and west banks of the River Hooghly, where Kolkata and Howrah City stand tall. This stretch is a pivotal part of the East-West Metro corridor, which extends from Howrah Maidan to the IT hub Salt Lake Sector V. The journey through this underwater marvel will take a mere 45 seconds to cover a distance of 520 meters.

Among the entire 16.6-kilometer length of the East-West Metro, approximately 10.8 kilometers run underground, with the highlight being the tunnel under the Hooghly River. The remaining portion of the route consists of an elevated corridor.

The Kolkata Metro aims to begin commercial operations along the entire East-West alignment, from Salt Lake Sector V to Howrah Maidan, by June or July. This ambitious project is set to revolutionize transportation in the region, offering commuters a swift and efficient means of travel between key destinations.

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