PM Modi is all set to inaugurate India’s first underwater metro

550 metres in length, it connects eastern part of Kolkata to its west

It is built at a cost of Rs 8,600 crore on the lines of the Eurostar

PM Narendra Modi is all set to inaugurate India’s first underwater metro service on 6^th March. Even as he throws it open to the country, lets understand its salient features:

1. It connects the eastern part of Kolkata to its west. It will link sector 5 with the Howrah maidan on the other side of the Hooghly river.
2. It is built at a cost of Rs 8,600 crore.
3. The underwater length is 550 metres. This is a part of the 10.8 km long underground section. It is built on the lines of the Eurostar, that connects London with Paris.
4. The underwater journey will take not more than a minute.
5. Trains will cruise at a speed of 80kmph and reach Esplanade in six minutes from Howrah.
6. There are two tunnels in the underwater section. They are 1.4 metres wide each and are made of concrete. To prevent leakage of water into the section, hydrophilic gaskets have been used.
7. These tunnels are at a depth of 26 metres from the ground.

The project has seen a delay in its completion. It was supposed to be done by December 2021. Accidents during the work caused the delay.