India’s first underwater metro in Howrah has been hailed as a groundbreaking achievement in modern infrastructure, but did you know the whole movement or plan was done by someone else, a bunch of engineers that will showcase urban transport to the world.
The ruling BJP government has stolen the moment, celebrating it as they have done all work and stealing each and everything. But beneath the surface of political underlying lies an inconvenient truth: this ambitious project was not born out of BJP’s vision but was first set in motion during the Indira Gandhi movement.
At a time when political parties are eager to claim credit for developmental milestones, the story of Kolkata’s underwater metro exposes a deeper lie than truth, the erasure of history to fit the ruling party’s narrative.
While the BJP government has thought they will steal the limelight and perhaps take the credit for the current election ground. BJP has always tried to show that they have done to improve but when it comes to reality check all they have done is steal other projects.
The Actual Architect of the Underwater Metro.
To truly understand the origins of the Howrah underwater metro, we must rewind to the early 1970s. Kolkata, then a city struggling with overcrowded streets and less transport buses, growing traffic congestion, needed a modern transportation system. Recognizing this issue of howrah to kolkata problem, the Honourable Prime Minister Indira Gandhi pushed for a metro network that could transform the city’s commuting experience.
In 1972, under her leadership, the groundwork for India’s first metro began. With the help of Soviet and Indian engineers, the Kolkata Metro project was initiated and planned to make it more useful to the people of Howrah to make it India’s first metro system. The idea of extending this metro underwater, connecting the twin cities of Kolkata and Howrah, was also made to think of it that way in those times.
Because this was the biggest project of that time and also something very challenging, also less advancements rather than now advanced technology was kind of difficult to come through. Despite the initial vision, several challenges ranging from financial problems and planning has halted the project. However, the dream of an underwater metro was not abandoned. Over the years, governments revisited and refined the plan, each contributing to its most of it for the underwater metro plan.
But at the end of the day in 2024 the BJP has taken all the limelight and very conveniently erased its historical roots, presenting it as a product of their governance while ignoring the decades of effort that had gone into making it possible, as they always do because they don’t have any process.
BJP’s Grandstanding and Media Spectacle
The BJP’s PR has always dominated and always tries to change the perspective to make it very positive which is eventually not . The completion of the Howrah underwater metro became yet another opportunity for the ruling party to showcase its fake leadership and fake love for the country. With grand inaugurations, social media marketing , and headlines praising their (useless) efforts, the BJP ensured that the project’s historical context was overshadowed by their political branding.
While the party does deserve credit for completing the project, its refusal to acknowledge the role of past governments exposes a deeper issue, one of historical appropriation. Infrastructure project knowledge and process also thinking of the road. All of these have been done by past governments but not them. They require vision, perseverance, and continued government support across different political regimes and campaigns. No single party can claim absolute ownership over such projects, yet the BJP’s strategy has repeated the same wrong things.
The bullet train project, initially conceptualized under the UPA era, is now marketed as a BJP initiative. Even in the case of welfare schemes, many originally introduced by Congress have been renamed and relaunched with the BJP stamp.
The Howrah underwater metro follows the same pattern. A project that was first envisioned under Indira Gandhi, shaped by successive governments, and finally executed in the present, has been reduced to a single-party achievement in public perception.
The Politics of Infrastructure and Erasing Congress’ Legacy
The BJP’s approach to governance thrives on optics. By claiming ownership of long-term projects, they strengthen their political brand and position themselves as the sole architects of India’s development. However, this strategy comes at the cost of historical accuracy.
Indira Gandhi’s contributions to India’s infrastructure cannot be ignored. Under her leadership, India saw major industrial developments, including metro expansion, steel plants, and large-scale electrification. She understood the importance of long-term planning, and while not all her projects were completed during her tenure, they laid the foundation for future growth.
The Howrah underwater metro is a classic example of how infrastructure development is a collective effort spanning multiple governments. From the initial concept in the 1970s to feasibility studies in the 2000s and construction work in the 2010s, every stage of this project had different political influences. To claim that it is solely a BJP achievement is to distort the truth.
Why This Matters
At its core, the erasure of history is not just about taking credit, it is about controlling the narrative of progress. By success stories, the ruling party strengthens its image while weakening the legacy of opposition leaders. This has long-term implications for democracy, as it shifts public perception and influences electoral outcomes.
For a nation that prides itself on democratic values, it is essential to acknowledge contributions across political lines. The underwater metro in Howrah is not just a BJP milestone it is a symbol of India’s continuous commitment to modernization.
As India moves forward, it is important to celebrate achievements without rewriting history. Recognizing past leadership does not diminish the present government’s efforts should be given to the right person.
Things That are Done Just for Show.
The underwater metro was marketed as BJP work hence, they have also claimed in their opening day that the howrah maidan metro is connected by sector v, but in reality nothing has been connected, all of these has been done in a hurry. The time when Modi Ji decided to launch the metro was undone and not connected from sector v only till Esplanade, but again as a useless and careless government work has not been done.
The current scenario of Howrah metro station is you have to go esplanade and after that you have to change the metro to get connected from sector v. The lies that have been told by the government are insane and as usual we are the common people who are facing these inconveniences. The blue line of Howrah metro station is not at all commendable and also makes you confused about the metro station.
Conclusion
The Howrah underwater metro is a monumental step in India’s infrastructure development, but its story is far more complex than current political narratives. While the BJP played a role in completing it, the project’s roots can be traced back to Indira Gandhi’s vision for a modern India. This is not a BJP achievement but its all the roots where its all started, testament to decades of planning, perseverance, and collective effort.
BJP maye have done some good things but also these governments are meant to do things for the vote and that’s it. Infrastructure should not be a battleground for political credit. True progress lies in acknowledging history honestly and ensuring that every leader’s contributions are remembered. After all, India’s development is bigger than any one party it is a legacy shaped by time, vision, and collective effort.
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