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Journalism of Courage
After Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, it’s now the West Bengal government that has asked the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) for a Metro line. And, this time, under the Hooghly River in Kolkata.
This will be the first underwater metro in India. Internationally, however, the subway tracks run under water in several places, including Boston, London, Hong Kong and New York.
Said to be part of the new Line 2 being proposed to serve as the East-West corridor in Kolkata, the line will connect Rajarhat in East Kolkata to the Howrah Railway station.
‘‘This line will have great significance for the people of Kolkata as the metro there (the first in the country) only has a North-South connection,’’ said DMRC Managing Director D E Sreedharan.It will run approximately 15 km with the portion underwater restricted to about a kilometre and at a depth of 18-19 metres.
A three-member team from the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) visited the Delhi Metro earlier this week. ‘‘KMDA may look into setting up an autonomous body to build this line, along the lines of DMRC and it will not be under the Ministry of Railways. In the DPR, we will also be looking into how we can integrate both these lines,’’ said C B K Rao, director Project and Planning.
For the DPR, DMRC will charge the West Bengal Government Rs 3 crore plus 8 per cent service charge. ‘‘It will be a very difficult project. We will have to take into consideration that ships also pass through that area. However, we are happy to see that people recognise our ability and it goes to show a measure of confidence,’’ said Sreedharan.
DMRC says it will take upto six months to prepare the DPR and will begin once it receives 20 per cent advance payment. ‘‘I have written to KDMA a few day ago asking them for a mobilisation advance. We can finish the project six months from the day we get the funds,’’ said Rao.
