Metro between Howrah and airport under study

The city that has pioneered in under-ground metro railway might come up with the country's maiden under-river metro railway project soon.

A proposal has been placed before the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh for a new metro corridor connecting Dumdum airport to Howrah railway station across the river Hoogly via the city's own Sealdah railway station, said Sudhangshu Seal, member of of the parliamentary standing committee on urban development.

The section connecting Howrah station would be constructed under the river. The proposal was expected to be acted upon soon, said Seal.

In 1990, a Rs 1600 crore plan for the city's improvement under the mega city project had been approved but later shelved. It envisaged construction of underpasses, widening of roads, improvement of drainage system.

The central and state governments had promised Rs 400 crore each, with the balance funds coming from financial institutions. The state was yet to receive Rs 172 crore from the Centre for the project, he said.

The Prime Minister has assured immediate release of the pending outstanding amount, claimed Seal.

Speaking at a seminar on 'traffic discipline and implementation of euro II' organised by Concern for Calcutta, Seal pointed to rising importance of the city and the possible potential of trade with China through the Nathula Pass.

"Port connectivity was the call of the day - the city can earn huge revenue and foreign currency once the infrastructure is in place," added Seal.