KOLKATA (Metro Rail News): On 9 April 2023, The Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation (KMRC) is planning to begin the trial of India’s first underwater metro rail in Kolkata, which connects the Esplanade on the east bank of the Hooghly River and Howrah Maidan on the west bank. The Howrah metro station is the deepest metro station in the country at 33 m below ground level.
This train stretch is 4.8 km with a 520-meter twin tunnel under the Hooghly River that got completed a year ago. Still, the KMRC is waiting to complete its second stretch (2.5 km) between Sealdah and Esplanade before starting commercial operations. Moreover, it will connect to the 16.6 kilometers long east-west corridor(Green Line) through sector V.
According to the KMRC officials, two six coaches trains will run on trial from the Metro Rail’s Salt Lake depot to Esplanade through the east bond tunnel between Esplanade and Sealdah, which is still experiencing regular cave-inns but the tunnel has been bridged by temporary track to perform the trial; as well as the metro between Sector V and Sealdah, is already operational.
From Sealdah to Esplanade, the trains will be pushed by battery-powered loco since it doesn’t have electrified tracks. It is further stated by the authority if everything goes well after the trial, the train will be operational in a couple of months.
