Kolkata’s Trailblazing Journey: Decoding India’s First Underwater Metro
The ‘City of Joy — Kolkata’ is gearing up to experience a one-of-a-kind engineering marvel in the form of Underwater Metro. As the constructions speed up, anticipation among commuters is high to experience this unique experience in the city.
In a remarkable feat of engineering and innovation, Kolkata has embarked on the monumental task of building India’s first underwater metro, setting a new standard for urban transportation infrastructure in the country. This ambitious project, which has garnered domestic and international attention, represents a significant milestone in Kolkata’s journey towards modernisation and progress.
The Background of Metro in Kolkata:
The genesis of the East-West Metro Tunnel dates back to the early 21st century when the Kolkata Metro Railway Corporation Limited (KMRCL) embarked on an ambitious mission to expand the city’s metro network. Recognising the need to alleviate traffic congestion and improve connectivity across Kolkata, the project aimed to create a seamless link between the city’s two bustling hubs.
The Kolkata Metro was initially planned in the 1920s, but construction started in the 1970s. The first underground stretch, from Bhawanipore (now Netaji Bhawan) to Esplanade, opened in 1984. A truncated section of Line 2, or the East–West Corridor, from Salt Lake Sector V to Phoolbagan opened in 2020.
The Underwater Metro:
Kolkata’s underwater metro project has captured the imagination of residents and observers alike. With plans to delve 40 feet beneath the surface of the Hooghly River, it is set to become India’s first underwater metro system. Announced during the Global Business Summit, the project underscores Kolkata’s determination to enhance connectivity and ease transportation woes.
The underwater metro’s depth reflects meticulous planning and engineering prowess, ensuring stability and safety while accommodating river traffic. Once operational, it promises to revolutionize urban commuting, offering a faster, more efficient mode of transportation. Moreover, it symbolizes Kolkata’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation and progress.
The East-West Metro Project will link Sector V with the Howrah Maidan on the other side of the Hooghly River. It is being built for Rs 8,600 crore. The key portion of the project is a 520-metre underwater tunnel, which is located in the 10.8 km long underground section. The underwater metro train has been compared to the Eurostar, which connects London and Paris. The commuters will move quickly through the water, covering roughly 500 metres in less than a minute.
When completely operational, trains will travel through the river tunnels at 80 kmph and take 6 minutes to get from Howrah Maidan to Esplanade.
In 2017, the tunnelling project under the Hooghly river bed was successfully finished by construction major Afcons. The underwater section will consist of twin tunnels made of 1.4 m-wide concrete rings. The tunnels include hydrophilic gaskets to further prevent water from getting inside.
Leading design firms like Atkins, Systra, and Tunnel Consult collaborated on the project. Trains will operate 26 metres below ground level at the tunnel’s bottom, which is 36 metres from the water’s surface.
Progress so far:
- The project’s foundation stone was placed in February 2009, and its completion date was set for October 2014. Realignment caused the work to stop from 2012 to 2015. Weak geology and a crowded topography caused many difficulties for the East-West Metro Corridor.
- On 31 August 2019, tunnel boring equipment struck an aquifer, causing severe earth subsidence and the collapse of numerous nearby buildings.
- The project was initially expected to be completed by December 2021 but has been delayed because of some events that occurred at Bowbazar in central Kolkata while tunnelling work was being done.
- India’s first-ever underwater metro completed the trial run with passengers on April 2023. Kolkata’s East-West Metro successfully completed the journey from Howrah Maidan to Esplanade and vice versa.
- The entire 16km corridor’s operations are expected to start in 2024, Srivastava said, briefing reporters about the current status of the Metro line that now covers 9.4km — from Sector V to Sealdah. The country’s first under-river Metro has been grappling with complex construction issues.
