Underwater metro service starts in Kolkata

March 15, 2024 | < 1 min read

**The water-and-fish effect, as seen from inside a metro train running along one of the tunnels under the River Hooghly on the east-west route of Kolkata Metro** (*Screengrab from a video released by Kolkata Metro Railway)*

On Friday, March 15, the commercial operations of Kolkata’s inaugural underwater metro train commenced, eliciting joy and excitement from hundreds of passengers during their first ride.

One train embarked on its maiden voyage from Howrah Maidan station on Kolkata’s East-West metro corridor at 7 am, greeted by enthusiastic cheers and applause from commuters. At the same time, another train began its journey from Esplanade station.

In the early hours of the morning, hundreds of commuters gathered at the stations, eager to experience the ‘first-day first underwater metro’ journey.

At Howrah Maidan station, passengers patiently lined up to purchase tickets, while authorities greeted them with roses at Esplanade station.

The launch of commercial services followed the inauguration of the Howrah Maidan-Esplanade section of Kolkata Metro’s East-West corridor by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 6, marking India’s inaugural venture into underwater metro services.