Kolkata Metro expands: New sections set to revolutionize commute | Fusion - WeRIndia

Kolkata’s metro is getting bigger. Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent inauguration, the Kolkata Metro Railway is gearing up to launch commercial operations in three pivotal sections.

This development marks a significant leap in India’s pursuit of advanced urban mobility solutions.

This is big news for the city. One of these new parts is an underwater tunnel under the Hooghly River.

This tunnel connects Howrah Maidan to Esplanade and is the first of its kind in India.

Metro Railway spokespersons said that people can start using these new sections in seven to ten days.

These sections include the stretch from Howrah Maidan to Esplanade, Kavi Subhash to Hemanta Mukhopadhyay, and Taratala to Majerhat.

The stretch between Howrah Maidan and Esplanade is special because it goes under the river.

Spanning 4.8 km, this section is vital for easing commute times and fostering connectivity between significant city points.

Most of the East-West Metro corridor is now ready. Only the part from Esplanade to Sealdah needs to be finished.

The Metro Railway officials hope the whole route will be ready for people to use by June or July this year.

There were problems while building this project. In 2019, water from the ground came up at Bowbazar, causing damage.

There were more water problems in 2022. Despite these issues, the metro has opened some parts of the East-West corridor.

The metro line from Joka to Taratala is already working. Soon, it will reach Majerhat.

Another new section, from Kavi Subhash to Hemanta Mukhopadhyay, will open soon. This is part of a bigger project that will go to the airport.

These new metro lines are important for Kolkata. This expansion not only underscores Kolkata’s commitment to enhancing its urban transport network but also sets a precedent for infrastructural innovation across India.

The new metro sections promise a more connected, efficient, and modern Kolkata, ushering in an era of improved public transport facilities for its residents.

Image Credit: Ravi Dwivedi, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Image Reference: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:A_metro_train_entering_Baranagar_Metro_station_in_Kolkata,_India.jpg