India's first underwater metro in Bengal: PM Modi's 'historic gift' for Kolkata; will inaugrate 3 metro projects before Durja Pooja
Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar on Thursday announced that PM Modi will be unveiling the Sealdah–Esplanade stretch of the Green Line, the Hemanta Mukhopadhyay (Ruby Crossing)–Beleghata stretch of the Orange Line, and the Noapara–Jai Hind (airport) stretch of the Yellow Line.
Majumdar shared the update in a post on social media platform X, along with an invitation from Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to the ceremony.
With the Sealdah–Esplanade link complete, the Green Line, touted as India's first underwater metro, will become fully operational, connecting Howrah Maidan to Salt Lake Sector 5.
This will also mean a metro link to Kolkata airport for the first time. Calling it a 'historic gift' for West Bengal ahead of Durga Puja, Majumdar said the projects would benefit countless commuters.
According to the invitation letter, the inauguration will take place at Jessore Road metro station on the Yellow Line in the city's northern suburbs.
Currently, the Green Line operates in two separate sections, Howrah Maidan–Esplanade and Sealdah–Salt Lake Sector 5. Work on the Sealdah–Esplanade stretch had been delayed by a series of subsidence incidents in Bowbazar, in the city's central area.
The long-awaited opening is expected to ease travel for thousands heading to the IT hub in Sector 5, as the Green Line connects with the Blue Line at Esplanade and links both Howrah and Sealdah railway stations.
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During the event, PM Modi will also inaugurate a new subway at Howrah metro station. The Yellow Line's new extension will offer a direct metro link to the airport and connect with the Blue Line at Noapara, aiding air travellers and residents of the northern suburbs.
The Orange Line, already in use between New Garia and Ruby Crossing, will now extend to Beleghata, providing better connectivity for those living in the eastern and southern suburbs.
In his letter, Vaishnaw stressed the Centre's commitment to improving train services and infrastructure in West Bengal. He noted that projects worth Rs 83,765 crore are currently underway in the state, with a record Rs 13,955 crore allocated in this year's budget.
Vaishnaw added that 101 railway stations in West Bengal are being redeveloped, while nine Vande Bharat and two Amrit Bharat trains are already in service.
Metro Railway Kolkata, which operates the city's mass rapid transit network, is a zone of the Indian Railways.
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