Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday, March 6, inaugurated India's first underwater metro line in Kolkata, ushering in a new era of groundbreaking urban transportation.
The focal point of this momentous occasion was PM Modi's immersive metro ride from Esplanade to Howrah Maidan, accompanied by a group of excited school children who shared the journey with the nation's leader.
#WATCH | West Bengal: Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with school students as they travel in India's first underwater metro train, in Kolkata. pic.twitter.com/lQye0OnuqP
— ANI (@ANI) March 6, 2024
The inauguration ceremony, organised to unveil multiple metro projects across the country, highlighted the introduction of the Esplanade-Howrah Maidan section—a critical segment of the East-West Corridor.
PM Shri @narendramodi took an underwater metro ride in Kolkata and interacted with school students, metro staff and the people of the state. pic.twitter.com/YgKMQfC8a3
— BJP (@BJP4India) March 6, 2024
Constructed at a substantial cost of ₹4,960 crore and spanning 4.8 km, this section is not only a testament to India's engineering prowess but also boasts the country's inaugural underwater transportation tunnel beneath the formidable Hooghly River.
As the metro journeyed through the underwater tunnel, PM Modi engaged with both metro staff and the young students.
#WATCH | West Bengal: Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with metro staff as he travels in India's first underwater metro train along with state BJP president Sukanta Majumdar and WB LoP and BJP MLA Suvendu Adhikari, in Kolkata. pic.twitter.com/fmY7BZjBIu
— ANI (@ANI) March 6, 2024
Before embarking on the journey, PM Modi was greeted by an exuberant crowd of supporters, echoing resounding cheers of 'Modi Modi' and 'Jai Shree Ram.'
#WATCH | West Bengal: Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted by a crowd of supporters amid loud cheers of 'Modi Modi' and 'Jai Shree Ram' in Kolkata.
PM Modi inaugurated India's first underwater metro rail service, a short while ago. pic.twitter.com/RUboFpc6CQ— ANI (@ANI) March 6, 2024
The ceremony also marked the inauguration of the 1.25-km Taratala-Majherhat section of the Joka-Esplanade line, costing ₹520 crore, and the ₹1,430-crore Kavi Subhash-Hemanta Mukhopadhyay section of the New Garia-Airport line.
The event aimed at alleviating traffic congestion and providing seamless connectivity celebrated the uniqueness of the Howrah Maidan-Esplanade section, boasting the first transportation tunnel beneath any mighty river in India.
The cumulative worth of the unveiled metro projects across various cities, approximately ₹15,400 crore, signals a monumental leap in India's metro connectivity.
Also read | PM Modi inaugurates India's first underwater metro in Kolkata, spanning 16.6 km beneath Hooghly River
Check out our in-depth Market Coverage, Business News & get real-time Stock Market Updates on CNBC-TV18. Also, Watch our channels CNBC-TV18, CNBC Awaaz and CNBC Bajar Live on-the-go!
Telangana Lok Sabha elections 2024: Asaduddin Owaisi to Bandi Sanjay Kumar, a look at key candidates
May 11, 2024 3:32 PM
Lok Sabha elections 2024: Hyderabad to Kadapa, key seats in fourth phase
May 11, 2024 2:54 PM
Telangana Lok Sabha elections 2024: List of BRS candidates
May 11, 2024 1:55 PM