Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated metro projects worth INR 15,400 crore, including Kolkata's underwater metro tunnel, marking a significant enhancement to the city's metro network. The Kolkata Metro's Esplanade-Howrah Maidan section, featuring India's first underwater transportation tunnel beneath the Hooghly river, was inaugurated at a cost of INR 4,960 crore. Modi interacted with students during a metro ride through the tunnel and also inaugurated other metro sections and connectivity projects in Kolkata. Additionally, he laid the foundation stone for various metro projects in Pune, Kochi, and Agra, emphasising the government's focus on modernising public transportation across the country.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and launched multiple metro projects and connectivity initiatives across India, totaling INR 15,400 crore. The highlight of these projects was the inauguration of Kolkata's underwater metro tunnel, marking a significant enhancement to the city's metro network. The newly inaugurated section, part of the Kolkata Metro's East-West Corridor, boasts India's first underwater metro transportation tunnel beneath the Hooghly river, connecting Howrah Maidan to Esplanade.
This engineering marvel, constructed at a cost of INR 4,960 crore, spans 4.8 km and features the deepest metro station, reducing travel time between Kolkata and Howrah.
During the inaugural event, Prime Minister Modi took a memorable metro ride from Esplanade to Howrah Maidan, accompanied by school students, and interacted with them, expressing gratitude to those who contributed to the project's success. The East-West metro corridor, initiated in 2009, faced several delays due to various challenges, including accidents in central Kolkata.
Notably, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) played a significant role as a major funding agency for the East-West Metro project. The partnership between India and Japan in urban infrastructure development, as highlighted by JICA, marked a significant milestone with the inauguration of the Howrah Maidan-Esplanade section.
Additionally, Prime Minister Modi laid the foundation stone and inaugurated various connectivity projects worth INR 15,400 crore across different cities, emphasising the government's focus on modernising public transportation. These projects include Metro Rail and Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) initiatives, aimed at enhancing urban mobility.
In Kolkata, apart from the underwater metro tunnel, the Prime Minister inaugurated the Taratala-Majherhat section of the Joka-Esplanade line, spanning 1.25 km and built at a cost of over INR 520 crore. Furthermore, the Kavi Subhash-Hemanta Mukhopadhyay section of the New Garia-Airport metro line, costing INR 1,430 crore, was inaugurated, bringing areas in the southeastern parts of Kolkata onto the metro map.
Addressing a public rally in Barasat, West Bengal, Prime Minister Modi highlighted the inauguration of new routes for Kolkata metro, Pune metro, Kochi metro, Agra metro, and the Namo Bharat express, underscoring the government's commitment to modernising the country's public transport system.
The inauguration of these projects signifies a significant milestone in India's urban infrastructure development, aimed at enhancing connectivity, reducing traffic congestion, and providing seamless and comfortable transportation options for citizens.
Overall, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's inauguration of metro projects and connectivity initiatives across India, totaling INR 15,400 crore, marks a significant step towards modernising public transportation and enhancing urban mobility. The highlight of these projects is the inauguration of Kolkata's underwater metro tunnel, showcasing India's engineering prowess and strengthening the city's metro network. Additionally, the inauguration of various metro sections and connectivity projects shows the government's commitment to improving public transport infrastructure and promoting sustainable urban development.
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