FIRST UNDER-RIVER METRO TUNNEL (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Infrastructure)

Context: Prime Minister recently inaugurated a metro train service in Kolkata, marking the opening of India’s first under-river metro tunnel.

India's First Under-River Metro Tunnel:

• Kolkata Metro’s East-West Corridor: The under-river metro tunnel is an integral segment of Kolkata Metro's East-West Corridor, enhancing connectivity across the city.
• Passes under the Hooghly River: Serving as a vital link, the tunnel passes beneath the Hooghly River, connecting areas from Howrah Maidan to Esplanade.
• Deepest Metro Station in the Country: Within this stretch lies the Howrah Maidan station, positioned 32 meters below ground level, making it the deepest metro station in India.

Hooghly River:

• Formation and Course: It is a distributary of the Ganges, forms in Murshidabad, diverging into the Padma in Bangladesh. It flows westward, eventually emptying into the Bay of Bengal through a wide estuary.
• Siltation and Water Source: Siltation affects the upper reaches of the Hooghly, with its water primarily supplied by the Farakka Feeder Canal, diverted from the Ganges via the Farakka Barrage, ensuring consistent flow even during dry seasons.
• Contributing Rivers: The lower Hooghly receives contributions from rivers like Haldi, Ajay, Damodar, and Rupnarayan, enriching its flow and ecosystem.
• Cities Along Its Banks: Jiaganj, Azimganj, Murshidabad, and Baharampur.