Kolkata, Mar 6 (Reporter) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday took a ride on the country's first underwater metro with school students and laid the foundation for multiple connectivity projects worth Rs 15,400 crores. India's first metro connectivity underwater links this eastern metropolis with Howrah on the other side of the Hooghly River. The development projects catering to the urban mobility sector include Metro Rail and Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) services, sources said. Modi also took an overview of all metro projects, while interacting with Metro workers in the nearly five km maiden metro ride underneath the river. “The metro journey was made memorable thanks to the company of these youngsters and those who worked on this project. We also travelled through the tunnel under the Hooghly river. ” Modi said on his X handle. “It’s a very special day for the people of Kolkata as the city’s metro network gets significantly enhanced. Connectivity will get a boost and traffic will get decongested. It’s a proud moment that the Howrah Maidan-Esplanade Metro section has the first underwater metro transportation tunnel under any major river in our country.” he said “Memorable moments from the Kolkata Metro. I bow to the Jan Shakti and will keep serving them with renewed vigour,” he added. West Bengal governor CV Ananda Bose, BJP's state president Sukanta Majumdar and state Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari accompanied Modi. With a focus on enhancing avenues for ensuring ease of urban mobility, the Prime Minister inaugurated Kolkata Metro’s Howrah Maidan-Esplanade Metro section, Kavi Subhash–Hemanta Mukhopadhyay Metro section and the Taratala–Majerhat Metro section (part of Joka- Esplanade line); Pune Metro from Ruby Hall Clinic to Ramwadi stretch; Kochi Metro Rail Phase I Extension project (Phase IB) from SN Junction Metro station to Tripunithura Metro station; Agra Metro’s stretch from Taj East Gate to Mankameshwar; and Duhai-Modinagar (North) section of Delhi-Meerut RRTS Corridor. He flagged off train services on these sections. The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for extending Pune Metro Rail project Phase 1 between Pimpri Chinchwad and Nigdi. These sections will help decongest road traffic and provide seamless, easy and comfortable connectivity. Howrah Metro Station is the deepest metro station in India. Also, the Majerhat Metro Station, on the Taratala–Majerhat Metro section was inaugurated by the PM. Agra Metro’s section inaugurated during the day will enhance connectivity to historical tourist places. The RRTS section will boost economic activity in NCR...////...