Kolkata metro runs under river, first in India
The Kolkata Metro has made history by becoming the first metro in India to run under a river. The 16.6 km long East-West Metro line connects the Howrah and Salt Lake City areas of Kolkata and includes a 520-meter stretch that runs under the Hooghly River.
The construction of the underwater stretch was a major engineering challenge and required the use of specialized tunnel-boring machines. The tunnel was constructed at a depth of 30 meters below the riverbed and required meticulous planning and execution.
The East-West Metro line is part of a larger metro network that is being developed in Kolkata, with the aim of improving public transport in the city and reducing congestion on the roads.
The East-West Metro line was inaugurated in February 2020, after several years of delays due to various issues, including land acquisition and environmental concerns. The construction of the underwater stretch was also delayed due to technical challenges and other issues. The metro is also expected to provide a boost to the local economy, by improving connectivity between different parts of the city and facilitating the movement of people and goods.
The successful completion of the underwater stretch is a major achievement for the Kolkata Metro and is a testament to the skill and expertise of the engineers and workers involved in the project. The Kolkata Metro has set a new benchmark for metro systems in India, and its success is likely to inspire other cities to invest in similar projects.
In conclusion, the Kolkata Metro’s achievement of running under the Hooghly River is a historic moment in the development of India’s metro systems. The project was a major engineering challenge, and its successful completion is a testament to the skill and expertise of the people involved. The East-West Metro line is expected to provide a much-needed boost to public transport in Kolkata and will help to reduce congestion on the city’s roads. The Kolkata Metro’s success is likely to inspire other cities to invest in similar projects, and could lead to the development of a world-class metro network across India.
