+
Kolkata Celebrates First Under-River Metro Triumph
RAILWAYS & METRO RAIL

Kolkata Celebrates First Under-River Metro Triumph

Earlier this month, India celebrated a significant milestone in its transportation infrastructure with the inauguration of the country's first under-river metro train service in Kolkata. The Howrah Maidan and Esplanade corridor, a remarkable feat of engineering, welcomed its first passengers, marking a historic moment for the nation.

The inaugural service, traversing beneath the Hooghly River, garnered an overwhelming response with approximately 70,000 passengers on its maiden voyage. This success stands as a testament to the Kolkata Metro's efficacy in meeting the public's transportation needs. However, the journey to this achievement was not without its obstacles, as revealed by project experts.

A pivotal aspect of overcoming these challenges was the collaboration between India and Germany. Specially designed German-made tunnel boring machines (TBMs) played a crucial role in navigating the unforeseen hurdles encountered during the construction phase. Afcons Infrastructure Limited, a multinational construction and engineering company, underscored the uniqueness of these TBMs and their contribution to the project's success.

Tamal Biswas, Project Manager at Afcons Infrastructure Limited, highlighted the complexities of Kolkata's soil, emphasizing its treacherous and unpredictable nature. The presence of underground channels and aquifers connected to the Hooghly River posed significant challenges that required innovative solutions.

The journey towards realizing the underwater corridor began with meticulous planning and technological prowess. A thorough understanding of the soil conditions and project requirements preceded the manufacturing of the German TBMs, which boasted several special features tailored to the Kolkata Metro project.

In a multi-nation collaboration, experts from Russia, South Africa, and Europe, alongside German engineers, lent their expertise to the project. This diverse team navigated the complexities of under-river tunnel construction, leveraging their collective knowledge to overcome obstacles.

One of the most remarkable features of the project was the continuous operation of the TBMs without interruption. Unlike traditional tunnel boring processes, where machines are periodically serviced, the Kolkata Metro TBMs operated seamlessly, covering a distance of 4.8 km across three stations without resurfacing.

Moreover, the TBMs were equipped with special features, including the capability to function as submarines in case of river water ingress?a testament to the project's thorough planning and risk management.

The successful inauguration of the 4.8-km-long underground stretch on March 6, marked by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, signifies a significant leap in India's transportation infrastructure. As commercial operations commenced on March 15, Kolkata Metro's underwater corridor stands as a symbol of innovation and collaboration, heralding a new era in India's metro rail network.

Earlier this month, India celebrated a significant milestone in its transportation infrastructure with the inauguration of the country's first under-river metro train service in Kolkata. The Howrah Maidan and Esplanade corridor, a remarkable feat of engineering, welcomed its first passengers, marking a historic moment for the nation. The inaugural service, traversing beneath the Hooghly River, garnered an overwhelming response with approximately 70,000 passengers on its maiden voyage. This success stands as a testament to the Kolkata Metro's efficacy in meeting the public's transportation needs. However, the journey to this achievement was not without its obstacles, as revealed by project experts. A pivotal aspect of overcoming these challenges was the collaboration between India and Germany. Specially designed German-made tunnel boring machines (TBMs) played a crucial role in navigating the unforeseen hurdles encountered during the construction phase. Afcons Infrastructure Limited, a multinational construction and engineering company, underscored the uniqueness of these TBMs and their contribution to the project's success. Tamal Biswas, Project Manager at Afcons Infrastructure Limited, highlighted the complexities of Kolkata's soil, emphasizing its treacherous and unpredictable nature. The presence of underground channels and aquifers connected to the Hooghly River posed significant challenges that required innovative solutions. The journey towards realizing the underwater corridor began with meticulous planning and technological prowess. A thorough understanding of the soil conditions and project requirements preceded the manufacturing of the German TBMs, which boasted several special features tailored to the Kolkata Metro project. In a multi-nation collaboration, experts from Russia, South Africa, and Europe, alongside German engineers, lent their expertise to the project. This diverse team navigated the complexities of under-river tunnel construction, leveraging their collective knowledge to overcome obstacles. One of the most remarkable features of the project was the continuous operation of the TBMs without interruption. Unlike traditional tunnel boring processes, where machines are periodically serviced, the Kolkata Metro TBMs operated seamlessly, covering a distance of 4.8 km across three stations without resurfacing. Moreover, the TBMs were equipped with special features, including the capability to function as submarines in case of river water ingress?a testament to the project's thorough planning and risk management. The successful inauguration of the 4.8-km-long underground stretch on March 6, marked by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, signifies a significant leap in India's transportation infrastructure. As commercial operations commenced on March 15, Kolkata Metro's underwater corridor stands as a symbol of innovation and collaboration, heralding a new era in India's metro rail network.

Next Story
Real Estate

Heena Lalwani Buys Rs 1.13 Billion Juhu Apartment

Heena Lalwani, promoter of Aatman Innovations Private Limited, has purchased a luxury apartment worth Rs 1.13 billion in Mumbai’s upscale Juhu locality, according to property registration documents accessed by Zapkey.com.The 9,862 sq ft apartment, located on the 10th floor of Lodha Developers’ Avalon Tower, was acquired at Rs 115,000 per sq ft and comes with five car parking spaces. The deal, registered on 18 August 2025, also included the payment of Rs 68 million in stamp duty and a Rs 30,000 registration fee.Lodha Developers did not respond to queries regarding the transaction, while the..

Next Story
Real Estate

Godrej Buys KPHB Land for Rs 7 Billion in E-Auction

An acre of prime land in Kukatpally Housing Board (KPHB), Hyderabad, was auctioned for Rs 7 billion, with the Telangana Housing Board generating Rs 5.47 billion from the sale of 7.8 acres through e-auction on 20 August 2025.The auction notification was issued last month, attracting bids from Godrej Properties, Aurobindo Realty, Prestige Estates, and Ashoka Builders, according to Board vice-chairman V.P. Gautham. With an offset price of Rs 4 billion per acre, the three-hour auction saw 46 bid increases, before Godrej Properties acquired the land.Revenue generated from the auction will be utilis..

Next Story
Real Estate

HMDA to Auction 93 Prime Plots in September

The Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) is preparing to conduct a three-day auction of prime open plots across Hyderabad, Rangareddy, and Medchal-Malkajgiri districts this September.According to official reports, the e-auction will take place on 17, 18, and 19 September, offering 93 plots. Of these, 70 are located in the Bachupally HMDA layout, with the remainder spread across Turkayamjal, Kokapet, Poppalguda, Chandanagar, Bairagiguda, Gandi Maisamma, Suraram, Medipally, and Bachupally village.The highest upset price has been fixed at Rs 175,000 per square yard for a land parce..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?