PM Modi likely to inaugurate final stretch of East-West corridor on July 18

Prime Minister Narendra Modi may inaugurate the Esplanade to Sealdah metro section on July 18, completing the 16.6-kilometre East-West Metro corridor between Salt Lake Sector V and Howrah Maidan. Kolkata Metro authorities have begun full-scale preparations for the possible event. The 2.6-kilometre Esplanade–Sealdah stretch is the final missing link in the corridor and will connect two already operational segments: Sector V to Sealdah (9.4 km) and Esplanade to Howrah Maidan (4.8 km).

According to Kolkata Metro Railway spokesperson Rupak Mitra, "The programme preparations are ongoing." He added that no final confirmation regarding the Prime Minister’s presence has been received yet, but efforts are being made for the inauguration to take place under his leadership. The corridor includes India’s first underwater metro tunnel beneath the Hooghly River, and with the completion of this last segment, direct train movement across the full stretch will become possible.

The Esplanade–Sealdah stretch passes through one of the most densely populated and high-traffic areas of the city. Due to structural and technical complexities, multiple rounds of inspections and safety verifications were conducted before final clearance. Metro officials confirmed that necessary approvals have been obtained and trial runs were successfully completed, paving the way for commercial operations.