Kolkata: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to inaugurate India’s first underwater metro tunnel built in Kolkata today (Wednesday).
PM Modi will also inaugurate the Kavi Subhash – Hemanta Mukhopadhyay Metro section and the Taratala – Majerhat Metro section, which is part of the Joka-Esplanade line.
It is worth mentioning here that the Kolkata Metro extension, featuring the Howrah Maidan-Esplanade Metro section, includes the first transportation tunnel in India to pass under a major river, representing a critical milestone in the country’s infrastructure development.
To ensure a smooth flow of commuters, the Metro Railway is installing AFC-PC gates at the concourse level of Howrah station. These gates are designed for automatic fare collection and passenger control.
A total of 32 AFC-PC gates will be installed to handle the expected rush of passengers. Among these, 20 gates will be bi-directional, allowing station staff to manage and change the direction of passenger movement during peak hours. This flexibility will make it easier for commuters to enter and exit the paid areas of the Howrah Metro station premises.
These modern AFC gates are built to handle heavy traffic, with a capacity to process 45 passengers per minute. They will be put into operation once commercial services from Howrah Maidan to Esplanade begin. Commuters will be able to use their Metro Tokens or Smart Cards at these gates for hassle-free entry.
It’s worth noting that the Howrah Maidan station on the East-West Metro corridor will be the deepest metro station in the country. Meanwhile, the Esplanade metro station will be a crucial interchange point connecting both the North-South and East-West corridors.
Earlier yesterday, PM Modi inaugurated, dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth over Rs 19,600 crore in Chandikhole of Odisha.
Ms Kalinga