India's Atmanirbhar underwater metro in Kolkata to launch in December
RAILWAYS & METRO RAIL

India's Atmanirbhar underwater metro in Kolkata to launch in December

India's ambitious 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' project, the underwater metro in Kolkata, is set to commence operations for commuters by the end of 2023. The project involves the construction of a tunnel under the river Hooghly, a remarkable engineering feat accomplished by Indian engineers. The tunnel, with an internal diameter of 5.55 meters and external diameter of 6.1 meters, has been built using a tunnel-boring machine (TBM). It runs 32 meters below water level, making it an engineering marvel. The underwater railway system will connect Howrah Maidan station to Mahakaran metro station, offering passengers a unique experience of traveling beneath the river.

Sanjay Banerjee, the General Manager Civil of Kolkata Metro Rail Cooperation Limited, highlighted the challenges faced during the project, particularly the careful planning required due to the densely populated areas of Kolkata and the presence of existing buildings. Despite these challenges, the project has made significant progress, with a section of the underground route already operational from Phoolbagan to Sealdah.

The project emphasises the indigenisation of technology, with Indian companies leading the way and Indian engineers playing a pivotal role. The construction of the underwater metro serves as a prime example of the 'Atmanirbhar' initiative, showcasing the capabilities and expertise of Indian engineers. The underwater tunnel spans a length of 520 metres, reaching a depth of 16 metres below the riverbed at its deepest point. The construction of the tunnel, which connects Howrah station complex to Armenian Ghat, was completed in a record time of 66 days. This underwater rail system marks a significant milestone as the first subaqueous tunnel beneath a major river in India.

The authorities aim to open the underwater metro for commercial use by December 2023, providing the people of Kolkata with an advanced and efficient mode of transportation and contributing to the city's urban development.

India's ambitious 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' project, the underwater metro in Kolkata, is set to commence operations for commuters by the end of 2023. The project involves the construction of a tunnel under the river Hooghly, a remarkable engineering feat accomplished by Indian engineers. The tunnel, with an internal diameter of 5.55 meters and external diameter of 6.1 meters, has been built using a tunnel-boring machine (TBM). It runs 32 meters below water level, making it an engineering marvel. The underwater railway system will connect Howrah Maidan station to Mahakaran metro station, offering passengers a unique experience of traveling beneath the river. Sanjay Banerjee, the General Manager Civil of Kolkata Metro Rail Cooperation Limited, highlighted the challenges faced during the project, particularly the careful planning required due to the densely populated areas of Kolkata and the presence of existing buildings. Despite these challenges, the project has made significant progress, with a section of the underground route already operational from Phoolbagan to Sealdah. The project emphasises the indigenisation of technology, with Indian companies leading the way and Indian engineers playing a pivotal role. The construction of the underwater metro serves as a prime example of the 'Atmanirbhar' initiative, showcasing the capabilities and expertise of Indian engineers. The underwater tunnel spans a length of 520 metres, reaching a depth of 16 metres below the riverbed at its deepest point. The construction of the tunnel, which connects Howrah station complex to Armenian Ghat, was completed in a record time of 66 days. This underwater rail system marks a significant milestone as the first subaqueous tunnel beneath a major river in India. The authorities aim to open the underwater metro for commercial use by December 2023, providing the people of Kolkata with an advanced and efficient mode of transportation and contributing to the city's urban development.

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

3i Infotech Reports Rs 7.25 Bn Revenue for FY25

3i Infotech, a leading provider of digital transformation, technology services and technology solutions, announced its consolidated financial results for the fourth quarter and full year FY25, ended on March 31st, 2025. The company maintained its growth momentum, displaying consistent progress for the 3rd consecutive quarter.In Q4 FY25, 3i Infotech reported revenue of Rs 1.87 billion, reflecting steady performance compared to Rs 1.81 billion in Q3 FY25 and Rs 1.97 billion in Q4 FY24. The company delivered strong profitability improvements, with gross margin growing by 14.8 per cent Q-o-Q and 1..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Emerald Finance Joins Baya PTE to Boost SME Bill Discounting

Emerald Finance is a dynamic company offering a spectrum of financial products and services including its flagship Earned Wage Access (EWA) in India, has entered into a strategic partnership with Singapore-based Baya PTE through its Indian subsidiary. This collaboration aims to strengthen bill discounting services for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), enabling faster access to working capital and improved cash flow management.The initiative is designed to support SMEs that supply to large corporates such as JSW Steel, Delhivery, and PVR INOX, among others. By facilitating timely invoice dis..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

BLS E-Services Crosses Rs 5 Bn Revenue Mark in FY25

BLS E-Services, a technology-enabled digital service provider, announced its audited consolidated financial results for the quarter and full year period ended 31 March 2025.Speaking about the performance and recent updates, Shikhar Aggarwal, Chairman, BLS E- Services said, “We are delighted to report a remarkable performance in FY25, as we achieved several milestones during the fiscal year. FY25 marked our highest-ever financial performance, as we surpassed Rs 5 billion milestone in Total Income during the year, which was reported at Rs 5.45 billion, a notable YoY growth of 76 per cent. The ..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?