A feat of engineering, the river Hooghly’s tunnels run 32 metres below the surface; the Howrah metro station is also the deepest in the nation. Commercial services are anticipated to launch on the stretch later this year. When a Metro rake completed a voyage through a tunnel 32 metres below the surface of the water on Wednesday, Kolkata Metro reached a new milestone. Uday Kumar Reddy, General Manager of Metro Railway, rode on rake number MR-612 from Mahakaran to Howrah Maidan station to take in this momentous occasion.
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At 11:55 a.m., this rake passed the Hooghly River. Along with other top officers from Metro Railway and KMRCL, he was accompanied on this journey by H.N. Jaiswal, the Additional General Manager of Metro Railway and the MD of the latter company.
According to a press release from Kolkata’s Metro Railway. When the Metro rake arrived at Howrah station, General Manager Reddy did puja, the statement continued. Before regular services on this stretch begin, the trial runs from Howrah Maidan to Esplanade will be conducted for the ensuing seven months., according to Mr. Reddy, who described the development as “historic.”
On this length, it’s anticipated that commercial services will start this year. For the trial runs over the 4.8-km underground route from Howrah Maidan to Esplanade, two Metro rakes had been transported from Esplanade station to Howrah Maidan station.
The East West Metro Project’s goal is to connect Howrah Maidan with Rajarhat along a 16.6-km path, and it includes tunnels beneath the Hooghly River that are 32 metres below the water’s surface. These tunnels are regarded as an engineering wonder. The tunnel’s construction was finished in 2017.
With a Metro station at Howrah that will be the country’s deepest Metro station (33 metres below surface), the underwater tunnels will link Kolkata and Howrah. The 520-meter section of the Metro that runs beneath the Hooghly River is anticipated to be completed in 45 seconds. Currently, 9.1 km of the East West Metro line between Salt Lake Sector V and Sealdah are in use.
The East West Metro Railway’s services began in stages, with the first beginning in February 2020 and the last in July 2022.
What Is An Underwater Metro?
An underwater metro is a type of subway system that runs below the water level of a body of water such as a river, lake, or sea.
These types of systems are typically designed to connect two or more points that are separated by a body of water, and they can offer several advantages over traditional bridges or tunnels. One advantage of an underwater metro is that it can provide a faster and more direct route between two points, particularly if there are significant traffic bottlenecks on the surface.
Additionally, an underwater metro can be more resistant to weather-related disruptions such as storms or flooding, since it is located below the water level.
However, building an underwater metro can also pose significant engineering challenges and can be much more expensive than building a traditional subway system.
It requires specialized technology and materials to ensure the safety and durability of the system, as well as careful planning to avoid disrupting marine ecosystems or damaging underwater infrastructure. Overall, an underwater metro can be a viable transportation solution in certain circumstances, but it requires careful consideration of the costs and benefits, as well as thorough planning and engineering expertise.
World’s first underwater metro
The world’s first underwater metro is the M2 line of the Istanbul Metro in Turkey. The M2 line runs partially underwater beneath the Bosporus Strait, connecting the European and Asian sides of Istanbul. The underwater section of the line is approximately 1.4 kilometers long and includes a tunnel that is 60 meters deep beneath the seabed.
The construction of the underwater section of the M2 line presented several engineering challenges, including the need to build the tunnel without disrupting the sensitive marine environment and the need to ensure the safety of passengers traveling through the tunnel.
The tunnel was built using a tunnel boring machine, and special measures were taken to prevent water from leaking into the tunnel. The M2 line was opened In 2013, and it has since become a popular mode of transportation for Istanbul residents and visitors alike.
The line is part of the larger Istanbul Metro system, which includes several other lines that serve different parts of the city.
Some Examples Of Underwater Metro Lines From Other Countries
There are currently several underwater metro systems in operation around the world, including:
- Line M2 of the Istanbul Metro: This line has an underwater section that crosses the Bosphorus Strait, connecting the European and Asian sides of Istanbul.
- Line 10 of the Shanghai Metro: This line has a 6.7 km underwater section that passes beneath the Huangpu River
- Line 1 of the Pyongyang Metro: This line has a 7.2 km underwater section that runs beneath the Taedong River in North Korea.
- Line A of the Lausanne Metro: This line has a 2.5 km underwater section that passes beneath Lake Geneva in Switzerland.
- The Copenhagen Metro: While not entirely underwater, the Copenhagen Metro has two stations that are partially submerged in the harbor, and the tracks leading to them are built on an artificial island.
- The Dubai Metro: While not entirely underwater, the Dubai Metro has a section that runs across a bridge over the Dubai Creek.
- These are just a few examples of the underwater metro systems currently in operation around the world.
Benefit : Tourist Attraction
An underwater metro could certainly be a unique and exciting tourist attraction. Not only would it provide a convenient way for locals to commute, but it could also be an attraction for visitors to the area. An underwater metro would provide passengers with an unparalleled view of marine life and underwater landscapes. It could also be designed with aesthetic features and lighting that would enhance the experience for passengers. Additionally, the novelty of riding on an underwater train could be a major draw for tourists.
