Kolkata to build India’s first underwater metro tunnel by 2023

KOLKATA: The Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation, which is building the Kolkata East-West Metro Line, is to build India’s first underwater metro tunnel inside the Hooghly River to establish the connectivity between Howrah and Kolkata. The tunnel will be fully functional by 2023.

Out of the total 16.6 km long stretch, 520 metres will be constructed 33 metres below the river bed. Mithun Ghosh, the site supervisor, said that there will also be walkways in the tunnel to facilitate the exit of passengers in case of emergency. He added that important passenger work has been done for the tunnel, keeping in mind any technical issue inside the tunnel. Almost 80 per cent of the work of East-West Howrah Metro station is finished and full services are expected to begin by 2023, he added.