Over 13,000 take under-river E-W Metro?s first Sunday ride
RAILWAYS & METRO RAIL

Over 13,000 take under-river E-W Metro?s first Sunday ride

The East-West Metro commenced its full seven-day service on the under-river stretch, which passengers eagerly embraced as a much-anticipated pre-Puja gift. Kausik Mitra, CPRO of Metro Railway, reportedly stated that by 8 pm, approximately 13,940 commuters had used the Sunday services. The first train departed from the Howrah Maidan terminal at 2:15 pm, reaching Esplanade in just eight minutes with 650 passengers on board. Services continued until 9:45 pm, with 31 trains running in each direction. Subhasis Saha, a doctor working in the districts over the weekend, recounted that as he disembarked from his train from Asansol, he heard repeated announcements at Howrah railway station about the start of the East-West Metro's Sunday services. He quickly made his way to the Metro station and boarded one of the waiting trains, mentioning that all he had to do was cross over to Esplanade for the North-South line to reach his home in Bansdroni. The Howrah Maidan line connects Esplanade via the Hooghly river, linking Howrah with Kolkata. Of the four underground stations on this stretch, one is located within Howrah railway station, and another connects with the New Garia-Dakshineswar or North-South line at Esplanade. Sayantan Sikdar, one of the first Sunday passengers, shared that Sunday was the only day he was free, so he decided to take his family on this unique ride on India?s first under-river Metro. The New Town resident was reportedly seen smiling as he recounted the experience. Metro Railway GM P Uday Kumar Reddy mentioned that it is anticipated that around 7 lakh people will travel daily once the entire East-West Metro becomes operational from Sector V to Howrah Maidan. The CPRO expressed great satisfaction in being able to meet the needs of commuters. Currently, the East-West Metro operates along two separate sections: the 4.8 km stretch from Howrah Maidan to Esplanade via the river Hooghly and the 9.4 km stretch from Sector V to Sealdah. However, the 2.5 km Esplanade-Sealdah section remains incomplete due to its passage through the subsidence-prone Bowbazar area in central Kolkata. Officials reiterated on Sunday that the Sector V-Sealdah, or Green line 1, will continue to operate six days a week, with no Sunday services being introduced on that section. An official mentioned that the entire 16.6 km East-West Metro is expected to be fully operational by March 2025, after which the entire corridor will function seven days a week. The Sector V-Sealdah stretch, which was opened in phases, currently ferries around 48,000 passengers daily, while the Howrah Maidan-Esplanade stretch has a daily ridership of around 47,000.

The East-West Metro commenced its full seven-day service on the under-river stretch, which passengers eagerly embraced as a much-anticipated pre-Puja gift. Kausik Mitra, CPRO of Metro Railway, reportedly stated that by 8 pm, approximately 13,940 commuters had used the Sunday services. The first train departed from the Howrah Maidan terminal at 2:15 pm, reaching Esplanade in just eight minutes with 650 passengers on board. Services continued until 9:45 pm, with 31 trains running in each direction. Subhasis Saha, a doctor working in the districts over the weekend, recounted that as he disembarked from his train from Asansol, he heard repeated announcements at Howrah railway station about the start of the East-West Metro's Sunday services. He quickly made his way to the Metro station and boarded one of the waiting trains, mentioning that all he had to do was cross over to Esplanade for the North-South line to reach his home in Bansdroni. The Howrah Maidan line connects Esplanade via the Hooghly river, linking Howrah with Kolkata. Of the four underground stations on this stretch, one is located within Howrah railway station, and another connects with the New Garia-Dakshineswar or North-South line at Esplanade. Sayantan Sikdar, one of the first Sunday passengers, shared that Sunday was the only day he was free, so he decided to take his family on this unique ride on India?s first under-river Metro. The New Town resident was reportedly seen smiling as he recounted the experience. Metro Railway GM P Uday Kumar Reddy mentioned that it is anticipated that around 7 lakh people will travel daily once the entire East-West Metro becomes operational from Sector V to Howrah Maidan. The CPRO expressed great satisfaction in being able to meet the needs of commuters. Currently, the East-West Metro operates along two separate sections: the 4.8 km stretch from Howrah Maidan to Esplanade via the river Hooghly and the 9.4 km stretch from Sector V to Sealdah. However, the 2.5 km Esplanade-Sealdah section remains incomplete due to its passage through the subsidence-prone Bowbazar area in central Kolkata. Officials reiterated on Sunday that the Sector V-Sealdah, or Green line 1, will continue to operate six days a week, with no Sunday services being introduced on that section. An official mentioned that the entire 16.6 km East-West Metro is expected to be fully operational by March 2025, after which the entire corridor will function seven days a week. The Sector V-Sealdah stretch, which was opened in phases, currently ferries around 48,000 passengers daily, while the Howrah Maidan-Esplanade stretch has a daily ridership of around 47,000.

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Purple Finance AUM Crosses Rs1.55 Billion In FY25

Purple Finance has reported strong growth in FY25, with its loan portfolio tripling and assets under management surpassing Rs1.55 billion. The company, which operates more than 40 branches across six states, now serves over 2,500 MSME borrowers, primarily in tier III and IV cities and district towns.Through a hybrid model combining digital origination with a local on-ground network, Purple Finance has expanded its footprint while maintaining asset quality. The lender focuses on small-ticket secured business loans, income-generation credit, and customised products for micro-entrepreneurs.Lookin..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Metropolis Acquires Ambika Pathology To Boost Maharashtra Presence

Metropolis Healthcare Limited (NSE: METROPOLIS | BSE: 542650), India’s second-largest pathology laboratory chain led by Ameera Shah, has completed its fourth acquisition in the past 10 months with the addition of Dr R.S. Patil’s Ambika Pathology Laboratory in Kolhapur. The NABL-accredited facility has joined the Metropolis network through a Business Transfer Agreement.Established in 1995 by Dr Rajendra Sadashiv Patil, Ambika Pathology is one of the leading diagnostic providers in the region. It operates a central laboratory supported by 12 patient touchpoints and offers a wide range of tes..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

ABD Maestro Launches Luxury Spirits At Bengaluru Duty Free

ABD Maestro Pvt. Ltd., the super-premium and luxury spirits arm of Allied Blenders and Distillers Limited (ABD), has announced the launch of its portfolio at the Duty-Free Travel Retail at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru.The debut in Bengaluru marks the company’s entry into India’s airport duty-free retail sector, with plans to expand shortly to Delhi International Airport and Mumbai. The expansion underscores ABD Maestro’s ambition to position its premium and luxury brands alongside the world’s finest spirits.The portfolio includes ARTHAUS Blended Malt Scotch Whisky, craft..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?