Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit West Bengal today, August 22, to inaugurate metro train services in Kolkata and road projects in Howrah. According to a PIB release, the Prime Minister will flag off metro train services on newly constructed sections of Kolkata’s metro network at 04.15 pm. PM Modi will also take a metro ride from Jessore Road station to Jai Hind Bimanbandar and back.

The 13.61 km-long network includes three sections — Noapara-Jai Hind Bimanbandar, Sealdah-Esplanade and Beleghata-Hemanta Mukhopadhyay. While Modi will inaugurate the Noapara-Jai Hind Bimanbandar line in person, he will virtually flag off the other two corridors. The Prime Minister will additionally inaugurate a newly built subway at Howrah Metro Station.

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Ease of commute

The new routes are expected to significantly ease mobility across Kolkata. The Sealdah-Esplanade stretch will cut travel time between the two busy points from nearly 40 minutes to just 11 minutes, while the Noapara-Jai Hind Bimanbandar line will improve access to the airport. The Beleghata-Hemanta Mukhopadhyay section is projected to enhance connectivity with the IT hub. 

Metro fares will follow a distance-based structure, beginning at Rs 5 and capped at Rs 70.

Six-lane elevated expressway

Alongside the metro projects, Modi will lay the foundation stone for a six-lane elevated Kona Expressway. The expressway spans 7.2 km and was built at a cost of over Rs 1,200 crore. The expressway will connect Howrah, nearby rural regions and Kolkata.

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The Prime Minister is also scheduled to travel to poll-bound state of Bihar the same day to launch multiple development initiatives and lay the foundation stone for upcoming projects.