In a remarkable feat, Kolkata Metro’s East-West corridor is gearing up for the inauguration of the nation’s first underwater metro network. This significant project, connecting Howrah Maidan to Esplanade, is entering its final phase, with inspections and preparations underway for its imminent operational launch.
The Chairman of the Railway Board, Jaya Varma Sinha, along with P Uday Kumar Reddy, the General Manager of Metro Railway, recently conducted a thorough inspection of the underwater metro route. The inspection involved a journey from Howrah Maidan to Esplanade, traversing beneath the river Hooghly.
During the inspection, Sinha traveled within the Motorman’s cabin, closely examining the Passenger Interchanging Points that link Eastern and South Eastern Railway. Following the inspection, instructions were issued to officials to ensure seamless passenger interchange among the three railways.
The eagerly awaited opening of the 4.8-kilometer section from Howrah Maidan to Esplanade is scheduled for the upcoming month. Currently, the operational stretch of the East-West corridor spans from Sealdah to Salt Lake Sector V, encompassing eight stations.
Upon the commencement of operations in the new section, three additional stations – Howrah Maidan, Howrah station complex, and BBD Bagh (Mahakaran) – will be integrated into the network. Notably, the Howrah Metro station is poised to become India’s deepest metro station, marking a historic milestone in the country’s metro infrastructure.
