Metros are very convenient for travelling. They’re fast, cheap, and sufficiently comfortable for people to get by. Hence, many cities employ this mode of public transport and many people use it. Kolkata was the first ever city to start a metro in the country and now it, again, has another such accomplishment. In a first, Kolkata is starting an underwater metro and it recently conducted test runs for the same.
Underwater Metro Kolkata Test Runs
Kolkata Metro creates History!For the first time in India,a Metro rake ran under any river today!Regular trial runs from #HowrahMaidan to #Esplanade will start very soon. Shri P Uday Kumar Reddy,General Manager has described this run as a historic moment for the city of #Kolkata. pic.twitter.com/sA4Kqdvf0v
— Metro Rail Kolkata (@metrorailwaykol) April 12, 2023
Recently, Kolkata conducted a test run of two metro trains which consisted of six coaches each. The route took the trains through the underwater tunnels of the Hooghly River. The trials were a part of what is known as the Kolkata East-West Metro Project.
According to the Times of India’s India Times, the trial run was conducted between Esplanade and Howrah Maidan on a stretch which was about 4.8 kilometres long. Initially, the authorities were planning on waiting for the completion of the Sealdah-Esplanade section which is 2.5 kilometres long.
However, since the completion of this section has already been delayed multiple times and is nowhere in sight, the authorities decided to conduct the test run without it being completed. The aforementioned publication also reported that the test run was conducted on the Green line of the Kolkata metro.
Also Read: India’s First Underwater Metro: Kolkata Metro Begins Trial. Here’s All You Need To Know
Incomplete Sections To Use Temporary Tracks
The green line stretches across 16.6 kilometres from Howrah Maidan to Sector V in East Kolkata. Parts of the line were operational but other parts, like the Sealdah-Esplanade section, were not yet completed. As such, for the incomplete parts of the line, officials plan on using temporary tracks.
As such the test run was conducted between Howrah Maidan and Salt Lake Depot. The Authorities explained that the metro will travel as per usual up till Sealdah. After that, the metro will be led by a battery-powered engine.
This is because the tunnel, as of yet, doesn’t have electrified third rails yet. After the tunnel is crossed, however, from Esplanade, the trains will ply normally again.
Also Read: Delhi Metro: These Viral Videos Kept Netizens Divided, Busy And Stunned
Are you excited about the country’s first-ever underwater metro? Let us know in the comments below!
Cover Image Credits: Wikimedia Commons