"PM Modi Unveils ₹15,400 Crore Metro Projects Nationwide"

Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked a significant milestone on Wednesday as he inaugurated and launched a series of metro services and connectivity projects across India, amounting to a staggering ₹15,400 crore. Among these projects is the Kolkata Metro extension, which includes India’s pioneering underwater metro transportation tunnel beneath a major river.

In a momentous occasion for Kolkata, PM Modi expressed pride in enhancing the city's metro network, emphasizing the significant boost in connectivity and decongestion of traffic. The inauguration of the Howrah Maidan-Esplanade Metro section, a vital part of Kolkata Metro’s East-West Corridor, stands out as it features the country's first underwater metro transportation tunnel beneath the Hooghly river, constructed at a cost of ₹4960 crore.

The Esplanade-Howrah Maidan section, spanning 4.8 km, is lauded as an engineering marvel, boasting the deepest metro station. This section is anticipated to significantly reduce travel time between Kolkata and Howrah.

PM Modi, accompanied by school students, embarked on a memorable metro journey from Esplanade to Howrah Maidan, traversing through the underwater transportation tunnel beneath the Hooghly river. He shared his experience on social media, highlighting the enthusiasm of the youngsters and acknowledging the efforts of those involved in the project.

Despite facing delays, including accidents in central Kolkata, the East-West metro corridor, initiated in 2009, is finally witnessing fruition. Notably, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has been a major funding partner for this project, emphasizing the enduring partnership between India and Japan in urban infrastructure development.

In addition to the Kolkata Metro projects, PM Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for various connectivity projects across the country, catering to the urban mobility sector. These projects encompass Metro Rail and Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), aligning with the government's commitment to modernize public transport infrastructure.

The inauguration of multiple metro sections, including Taratala-Majherhat and Kavi Subhash-Hemanta Mukhopadhyay lines in Kolkata, underscores the government's dedication to advancing urban mobility. Addressing a public rally in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district, PM Modi reiterated the government's focus on modernizing the country's public transport system, emphasizing the rapid pace of progress in achieving this goal.

HBL