Kolkata Metro conducted underwater train trial run first time in India

Kolkata, India (Metro Rail Today): In a historic moment for India's mass rapid transit system, a Metro train ran under a river for the first time in the country in Kolkata. The trail run was successfully conducted from Howrah to Esplanade in Kolkata as the metro made its journey under the Hoogly river.

"Kolkata Metro creates History!For the first time in India,a Metro rake ran under any river today!Regular trial runs from Howrah Maidan 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," twitted Kolkata Metro Railway.

P Uday Kumar Reddy, General Manager, Metro Railway Kolkata, described the run as a historic moment for the city of Kolkata. "It is the first time that a train has moved below the Hoogly river. It is also the deepest station at 33 metres of depth -- a first in India. This is historic moment for the city of kolkata. It will take seven months to complete the trails and after that we will be able to start regular services," Reddy said.

It is expected that commercial services on the Howrah-Esplanade stretch will begin this year. The Kolkata metro is expected to cover a 520-meter stretch under the Hooghly river in 45 seconds. This tunnel under the river is 32 meters below the river bed.

The stretch is part of the East-West Metro corridor (Line 2) connecting Howrah Maidan and Sector V in Salt Lake, the IT hub of Kolkata. The project will link the Esplanade station of the Kolkata Metro's North-South line with Indian railway stations in Howrah and Sealdah.

An official called it a "revolutionary step" in providing a modern transport system to the people of Kolkata and its suburbs, PTI reported.

"After many hurdles, we have succeeded to run rakes beneath the Hooghly river, a revolutionary step in the transport system of Kolkata. This is indeed a special new year gift from Indian Railways for the people of Bengal," said Kausik Mitra, Chief Public Relations Officer.

The development is another milestone for Kolkata Metro as it was also the country's first metro railway that started in Kolkata in 1984. Delhi began offering metro services in 2002.