City metro celebrates 32 years of existence

To celebrate the country’s maiden metro run 32 years ago on October 24, a function was held in the city on Monday.

The first run was held between Esplanade and Bhowanipore covering a distance of 3.4km on October 24 1984. Now metro covers a distance of 27 km. Elaborate steps have been taken to increase the metro network and by 2020, metro will be the most important mode of transport in the city.

The idea to construct underground train was first introduced by the Bidhan Chandra Roy government. It conducted a survey through IIT Kharagpur.

Later, during Siddhartha Roy’s time, the foundation stone for the proposed underground railway was laid. The then Chief Minister Jyoti Basu along with other dignitaries inaugurated the first ride between Esplanade- Bhowanipore stations. The metro railway was opened in phases.

To commemorate this day, Metro Railway in association with Metro Railway Women’s Welfare Organisation (MRWWO) and Pranto Katha (an NGO) organized a metro ride for 32 underprivileged children from Shovabazar- Sutanuti to Kavi Subhas stations and back.

A sit and draw competition was held for them at Kavi Subhas station. Amita Chauhan, president MPWWO encouraged the children and distributed gifts among them.

Tapan Kumar Nath, the conducting motorman of the first metro and PD Mukherjee who was the assistant station master of Maidan station on the maiden run recollected and shared their memories.