Kolkata is creating a buzz with its upcoming underwater metro train, which is set to open soon. Officials and engineers recently conducted a trial run from Howrah Maidan to Esplanade, testing the route across the Hooghly River.

P Uday Kumar Reddy, the general manager of Metro Railway, shared that regular services will commence after five to seven months of trial runs.

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To achieve this feat, Kolkata has constructed a tunnel under the Hooghly River using a special tunnel-boring machine named Prerna and Rachna. The tunnel measures 5.55 meters inside and 6.1 meters outside, and the entire construction process was completed in a remarkable 66 days!

To prevent water leaks, smart concrete mixes with fly-ash and micro-silica were employed in the construction. Additionally, special care was taken to safeguard historic buildings around the tunneling area.

This underwater metro project is a crucial component of the East-West Metro Corridor, aiming to expedite travel between Howrah and Sealdah while alleviating traffic congestion. The tunnel itself is positioned 13 meters below the riverbed and 33 meters below the surface. The underwater metro route includes four stations – Esplanade, Mahakaran, Howrah, and Howrah Maidan.

The innovative construction methods and technologies employed in this project highlight Kolkata’s commitment to modernizing its transportation infrastructure and enhancing connectivity for its residents. The completion of the underwater metro tunnel is a significant milestone that is expected to bring about more efficient and rapid transportation services, benefiting the city’s commuters and contributing to the overall development of Kolkata’s public transportation network.