Kolkata to get underwater tunnel to link Salkia and Kolkata Port for heavy vehicles

After the successful launch of the East-West Metro, which runs under the Hooghly River, Kolkata is gearing up for another ambitious underwater infrastructure project. The city is set to construct a massive underwater tunnel beneath the Ganges to facilitate the movement of heavy vehicles like trucks, buses, and taxis.

According to officials, the proposed tunnel will stretch between Salkia in Howrah and Kolkata Port. This initiative aims to significantly reduce the traffic burden on Kolkata’s roads, particularly on the Hooghly Bridge and the Santragachi route. Preparatory work, including feasibility studies and technical evaluations, has already begun.

The central government is collaborating with the state transport department, Kolkata Municipality, and Kolkata Police to bring the project to fruition. The Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Port Trust will oversee the construction of the 15-kilometer-long tunnel. With an estimated budget of ₹8,000 crore, the project is expected to be completed by 2030.

Experts believe this project will dramatically cut down travel time across the river. For instance, the one-to-one-and-a-half-hour commute between Santragachi and Kolkata could be reduced to just 15-20 minutes. This would also ease the traffic pressure on Delhi Road, Dankuni-Kolkata Road, and areas around Khidirpur and Dharmatala.

The tunnel will primarily serve as a dedicated passage for heavy goods vehicles, freeing up surface roads for lighter traffic. This approach is expected to double the speed of general vehicular movement in the city.

Incidentally, this project follows the success of a similar seabed tunnel in Mumbai, inaugurated earlier this year. If completed on schedule, Kolkata’s underwater tunnel will not only alleviate traffic woes but also stand as a testament to the city's rapid urban modernization.