Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Kolkata Metro's newly developed Joka-Taratala (Purple Line) metro line during his visit to the state on Dec. 30. The inauguration of the Joka-Taratala stretch of the Joka-Esplanade Metro Project took place via video conferencing from Howrah train station.

The Prime Minister has also inaugurated the first Vande Bharat Express train in West Bengal, which connects the two major cities of Howrah and New Jalpaiguri.

A test drive was recently held on the 6.5 km stretch of the Joka-Esplanade Metro project. The newly constructed portion of the Metro project has been constructed at a cost of Rs 2,475 crore.

The newly constructed track will enable fast connectivity and will also boost local trade. Those living in the southern part of a metropolis such as Sarsuna, Dakghar, Muchipara and South 24 Parganas are likely to greatly benefit from the Metro project.