Kolkata: Amidst much excitement, India's inaugural underwater metro service was officially launched in Kolkata, marking a significant milestone in the country's transportation history.
Commuters eagerly queued up for the maiden ride on the underwater metro train, expressing their enthusiasm by applauding and chanting 'Vande Bharat' and 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' slogans.
The inaugural journey commenced from the Howrah Maidan station on Kolkata's East-West metro corridor, with another train departing simultaneously from the Esplanade station.
Traversing beneath the Hooghly River, the Howrah Maidan-Esplanade section of Kolkata's metropolitan network boasts a 520-meter-long underwater tunnel, representing a remarkable feat of engineering.
The underwater metro tunnel is illuminated with captivating blue LED lights, creating a mesmerizing ambiance reminiscent of the river's depths. Operating on weekdays with a frequency of every 12 to 15 minutes, the underwater metro promises convenient and efficient transportation for commuters.
Reflecting on the experience, another passenger shared their excitement about embarking on India's maiden underwater metro journey, highlighting the swift ticketing process that facilitated their journey.
The inauguration of the underwater metro service follows Prime Minister Modi's recent visit to Kolkata on March 6, during which he inaugurated multiple metro sections and embarked on a memorable metro ride with school students.
In addition to the underwater metro, PM Modi inaugurated the Kavi Subhash - Hemanta Mukhopadhyay Metro section and the Taratala - Majerhat Metro section, further enhancing Kolkata's metro connectivity.
The newly inaugurated Majerhat Metro Station, characterized by its innovative architectural design, underscores the city's commitment to urban mobility improvement.
Furthermore, PM Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for various connectivity projects across the country, reaffirming the government's dedication to enhancing transportation infrastructure nationwide.
With the commencement of the underwater metro service, Kolkata embarks on a new era of urban transportation, setting a precedent for innovative and sustainable transit solutions across India.