Kolkata’s new East-West Metro, the Green Line, has revolutionized city travel with its groundbreaking underwater tunnel beneath the Hooghly River

KOLKATA: Imagine slipping beneath a great river in the comfort of an air-conditioned metro cutting hours of travel into minutes and reshaping the daily rhythm of a city. This is now part of everyday life in Kolkata thanks to the East–West Metro, the city’s second metro line, also known as the Green Line. The city’s first metro, the North–South corridor (Blue Line), opened in October 1984, making Kolkata the first Indian city to have a metro, a title it held until Delhi Metro launched its first line in 2002.

A new passage under a historic river

The East–West Metro runs 17 km from Sector V in Salt Lake on the east to Howrah Maidan on the west bank of the Hooghly River. A key feature of this line is its underwater tunnel: a 520-metre stretch beneath the river, India’s first transport tunnel of its kind.

Trains run about 16 metres below the riverbed, while the Howrah station on this route is now India’s deepest, built around 30 metres underground.The metro has transformed commuting for lakhs of residents between Salt Lake and Howrah, as well as hundreds of thousands from the suburbs who access the service via Howrah and Sealdah railway stations two of the busiest in India, serving nearly 20 lakh passengers daily.

Engineering against the odds

Construction of the Green Line stretched over more than a decade. River tunnelling was completed in a record 67 days in 2017. Engineers had to dig through soft, unpredictable alluvial soil and build waterproof tunnel linings designed to last over 120 years.Central Kolkata, particularly Bowbazar, posed significant challenges. Ground subsidence and water ingress disrupted tunnelling, delaying parts of the project for years before the river crossing could be completed. The twin tunnels were excavated using earth pressure balancing tunnel boring machines, cutting through predominantly stiff clayey silt beneath the riverbed.

Interestingly, the underwater tunnel is not a new idea. Sir Harley Dalrymple-Hay, a Birbhum-born British engineer, drafted plans for an underwater railway in Kolkata as far back as 1921.From trials to daily routine

After years of construction and testing, the East–West Metro opened for commercial service in March 2024. Thousands of commuters boarded the first trains with excitement as the Green Line began stitching the city together in a new way.Within the first 15 days, around 53,570 passengers used the Esplanade–Howrah Maidan stretch daily — equivalent to removing hundreds of bus trips from city roads. Many commuters switched from cabs and cars to the metro for speed, comfort, and reliability. On the very first public day, over 70,000 passengers rode the under-river section.

The underwater journey itself takes just 45 seconds. Where the bus ride across Howrah Bridge used to take 3-4 minutes on a lucky day against 15-20 minutes in heat and congestion during rush hours and sometimes up to an hour or more during political rallies and protests, commuters now travel in air-conditioned comfort. The journey from Howrah Maidan to Esplanade takes barely eight minutes by the metro. This would take a minimum of 30-40 minutes by bus. Metro that changes daily life

For thousands in Kolkata and Howrah, the Green Line has become part of everyday life.Shorter commutes: Travelling between Kolkata and Howrah now takes minutes instead of hours.Comfort and reliability: Unlike road transport, the metro provides air-conditioned comfort and predictable travel times, easing stress during peak hours.

Beyond convenience, the East–West Metro addresses broader urban challenges. It reduces traffic congestion, lowers air pollution, and offers a more sustainable commute. “Howrah and Kolkata have always been twin cities, but crossing the Hooghly was a pain. The East–West Metro has changed that — Howrah now truly feels like a twin city,” said Ruby Saha, a Howrah resident.

Suburban commuters also benefit. Local train passengers arriving at Howrah Station can now interchange directly to the Green Line, avoiding crowded bus stands and congested roads.Crowding concerns on older lines

The success of the East–West Metro has increased pressure on the North–South Blue Line, operational since 1984. Daily trains now carry more passengers, especially during evening peaks, sometimes causing overcrowding. Commuters report longer waits to board, particularly after the Green Line section opened.

While the Esplanade–Howrah Maidan stretch is fully operational, work continues to complete the 16.6-kilometre corridor from Sector V to Howrah. About 65% of the line runs through underground twin tunnels, including the 520-metre river crossing, with the rest mostly on elevated viaducts. This under-river tunnel is India’s first transportation tunnel beneath a river.A system built for interchange

The Green Line intersects the Blue Line at Esplanade, allowing passengers to travel north to Dakshineswar or south to New Garia. Blue lights along the tunnel mark the under-river stretch, making the journey visually interesting for commuters between Howrah and Mahakaran stations.Transforming the city’s geography

The East–West Metro has reshaped Kolkata’s daily map. By connecting previously separated neighbourhoods beneath the Hooghly, it links residential areas with IT hubs, business districts, and railway stations. Dependence on surface transport has reduced, carbon emissions have dropped, and travel is more predictable. For many, commuting has become faster, more comfortable, and less stressful.Today, the underwater metro is not just transport — it is a living part of Kolkata’s rhythm, redefining how hundreds of thousands begin and end their daily journeys.

‘Dhurandhar’ that released on December 5 has been a solely reigning at the box office ever since the film released. While on day 1, the film may have opened to mixed reviews, it proved to be this juggernaut of a film that went on to break records. It became a talking point on the internet with scenes from the movie going viral along with the songs. Not to mention, it also started breaking records at the box office one by one. ‘Dhurandhar’ became the biggest second weekend grossing movie of all time.Dhurandhar Movie ReviewIt collected Rs 253 crore in the second week, which is more than the first week collection. This happens so rarely. It had made Rs 207.25 crore in week one. After completing week 2, the film has begun on a slow note on third Friday and now may gradually begin to see a dip. On day 15, which is Friday, it made Rs 22.5 crore. On third Saturday, it saw growth of around 52 percent and made Rs 34.25 crore. And now it has started day 17, Sunday also on a decent note. It may end up making the same number as Saturday if not more. The film’s collection on Sunday as per early estimates is Rs 38.50 crore. This is a great number for a third Sunday. The film has begun the third Monday on a slow note which is also expected.

On Monday, day 18, till afternoon, the collection is Rs 2.26 corre. The film’s total collection so far in India is Rs 558.01 crore.

Day wise collection of ‘Dhurandhar’

Day 1 [1st Friday] ₹ 28 Cr –Day 2 [1st Saturday] ₹ 32 CrDay 3 [1st Sunday] ₹ 43 CrDay 4 [1st Monday] ₹ 23.25 CrDay 5 [1st Tuesday] ₹ 27 CrDay 6 [1st Wednesday] ₹ 27 CrDay 7 [1st Thursday] ₹ 27 CrWeek 1 Collection ₹ 207.25 Cr –Day 8 [2nd Friday] ₹ 32.5 CrDay 9 [2nd Saturday] ₹ 53 CrDay 10 [2nd Sunday] ₹ 58 CrDay 11 [2nd Monday] ₹ 30.5 CrDay 12 [2nd Tuesday] ₹ 30.5 CrDay 13 [2nd Wednesday] ₹ 25.5 CrDay 14 [2nd Thursday] ₹ 23.25 CrWeek 2 Collection ₹ 253.25 CrDay 15 [3rd Friday] ₹ 22.5 CrDay 16 [3rd Saturday] ₹ 34.25 CrDay 17 [3rd Sunday] ₹ 38.5 CrDay 18 [3rd Monday] ₹ 2.26 CrTotal ₹ 558.01 Cr

Yogi Adityanath and Akhilesh Yadav (Images/Agencies)

NEW DELHI: Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday took a veiled dig at Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during a state Assembly session, saying “desh ke andar do namune hain” (There are two specimens in the country).The remarks came amid a heated debate in the Assembly over the alleged illegal trade of codeine-based cough syrup, prompting strong protests from the SP and noisy demonstrations inside and outside the House.

Speaking during the winter session, Adityanath said, “ ‘Desh ke andar do namune hain’. One sits in Delhi and the other in Lucknow. When there is any discussion in the country, they immediately flee the country, and I think the same thing is happening with your ‘Babua’. He will also leave the country again for a trip to England, and you people will keep shouting here.”The remarks came in response to opposition questions on deaths allegedly caused by codeine syrup, though UP CM did not name them explicitly.He categorically denied any fatalities due to the syrup in Uttar Pradesh: “No deaths have occurred in Uttar Pradesh due to codeine cough syrup. Secondly, action will be taken in this case under the NDPS Act. The Uttar Pradesh government has won this case in court.” Yogi added that the biggest wholesaler first apprehended by the STF had been licensed during the Samajwadi Party’s tenure in 2016.Giving an update on enforcement, the chief minister said, “The government has registered 79 cases, named 225 accused and arrested 78 people. Raids have been conducted on 134 firms. No accused in this case will escape, and preparations will also be made for bulldozer action when the time comes.” He also suggested that a deeper investigation may reveal links to the Samajwadi Party.“I think if you delve deeper into this matter, you’ll find that ultimately, some leader or individual associated with the Samajwadi Party is involved. The High Court has ruled that this entire case should be prosecuted under the NDPS Act. The Uttar Pradesh government has fought this battle and won.” he stated.The remarks drew strong reactions from Akhilesh Yadav. He criticised the public spat between leaders and the use of personal attacks in political discourse.In a post on X, Samajwadi chief wrote: “Self-Acceptance! No one expected the Delhi-Lucknow feud to escalate to this point. People holding constitutional positions should at least maintain some public decorum and not cross the bounds of propriety. BJP folks should not bring their party’s internal squabbles out to the crossroads.”Earlier, Akhilesh had alleged that the codeine racket originated from the Prime Minister’s parliamentary constituency. “A state’s chief minister lies, and those standing with him also lie. You can’t imagine that an illegal cough syrup business is operating from the Prime Minister’s parliamentary constituency… it’s worth thousands of crores. This is an international issue,” he said. Yadav called for strict bulldozer-style action against all “mafias,” irrespective of political affiliation.

What were the protests about?

Earlier today, Samajwadi Party members held demonstrations outside the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly. The protest came amid outrage over the alleged illegal trade of codeine-based cough syrup and what the party described as government inaction.SP legislators, including both MLAs and council members, staged a sit-in near the main gate of Vidhan Bhavan, holding placards with anti-government slogans and demanding strict action against those involved in the syrup racket.During the protest, SP members raised slogans against UP CM, alleging that people from his own caste and close associates were involved in the illegal trade. The party accused the government of prioritizing profits over public health and youth welfare. A statement from the Samajwadi Party media cell on X read: “Chief Minister Adityanath is running the business of poisonous and intoxicating cough syrup. People from his own caste and his close associates are involved in the illegal trade. Is their greed for money so intense that the deaths of children and addiction among youth have no effect on them? What kind of yogis are these who have gone to such extremes for money? How do they call themselves honest with what face? Is this their yoga, this their saintliness, and this their so-called honesty?”SP legislators also raised other issues during the protest, including alleged manipulation of voter lists, curtailment of reservation rights, and collapse of health services. The Uttar Pradesh police said a Special Investigation Team is probing the illegal network involved in storage and distribution of regulated codeine-based cough syrups, including financial transactions and cross-border links to Nepal and Bangladesh.

A temporary power outage in San Francisco left hundreds of Google’s self-driving vehicles – Waymo stranded on roads. Many users shared videos and photos of the cars stalled in traffic in different parts of the city. Amid the disruption, Elon Musk posted on X (formerly Twitter), writing “Tesla Robotaxis were unaffected by the SF power outage”. The Tesla CEO quoted a post by X user Mario Nawfal which said that Teslas kept rolling as the vehicles’ AI is trained on “billions of real-world miles”. “Waymo bet on maps and order. Tesla bet on mess – and won,” Nawfal added.For those unaware, a massive blackout affected over 130,000 homes and businesses in San Francisco including the Richmond, Sunset, Presidio and Golden Gate Park. Officials traced that a portion of Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) substation caught fire, knocking out critical grid components, leading to “significant transit disruptions.”

Mario Nawfal shared two different videos in his post – one showing Waymo stranded on the road and the other a dashcam footage from a Tesla vehicle using Full Self-Driving (FSD) mode. “Waymo’s robotaxis got a little too real last night – by completely shutting down when San Francisco’s power outage knocked out traffic lights,” he writes in the post. “Meanwhile, Teslas on FSD? Kept rolling. No drama, no headlines – just handling chaos like it’s a walk in the park. This is what happens when you train your AI on billions of real-world miles instead of coddling it in a simulation padded with perfect data and wishful thinking. Waymo bet on maps and order. Tesla bet on mess – and won. When the lights go out, the difference isn’t theoretical. It’s traffic.” Nawfal tagged TeslaAI and Elon Musk as the source in his post. The Tesla dashcam video was shared by Tesla AI with the caption – “FSD is trained on billions of real-world miles, including power outages”.

Waymo resumes services in San Francisco Bay Area

Waymo said it has resumed its driverless ride-hail service in the San Francisco Bay Area. Waymo spokesperson, Suzanne Philion, told CNBC in an e-mailed statement “Yesterday’s power outage was a widespread event that caused gridlock across San Francisco, with non-functioning traffic signals and transit disruptions”. “While the failure of the utility infrastructure was significant, we are committed to ensuring our technology adjusts to traffic flow during such events,” she added.

Pakistan cricket team (ANI Photo)

Senior Pakistan selector and National Cricket Academy head Aaqib Javed has made a candid revelation, admitting that he has closely followed India’s recent success in white-ball cricket in an effort to rebuild and strengthen Pakistan’s own cricketing structure.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Speaking on a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) podcast, the former fast bowler said India’s sustained dominance across tournaments offered clear lessons for any cricketing nation serious about long-term success. “I have looked at India’s success and have tried to execute plans for the betterment of Pakistan cricket,” Aaqib said. “Any cricket nation’s success is based on the quality of its talent.”

India have enjoyed a golden run in recent years, winning the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean last year, the Champions Trophy in Dubai earlier this year, and the Asia Cup in September — a tournament where they defeated Pakistan in the final. Aaqib believes such consistency stems from systems rather than individuals.“I think we fell away in doing the basic things correctly in our cricket system,” Aaqib admitted. “No matter who you appoint as captain, coach or selector, unless you have quality talent, nothing changes.”He stressed that talent development depends on strong infrastructure and competition. “Quality of talent can be assured by increasing bench strength and competition, and this is only possible with proper infrastructure and system,” he said.

Despite past shortcomings, Aaqib expressed optimism about the current direction of Pakistan cricket. Looking ahead to the T20 World Cup early next year in India and Sri Lanka, he said the timing could not be better. “Indications are all there. We have good players, they have combined well and importantly there is a choice of players now.”He added that playing all their matches in Sri Lanka would work in Pakistan’s favour. “If the World Cup had been in Australia or South Africa, I would have thought differently. But this is the best time for the team to do well.”Aaqib also highlighted the growing depth in domestic cricket and the Pakistan Shaheens setup, claiming “three to four players are ready” for international cricket. However, he emphasised that modern talent goes beyond skill alone. “Nowadays, talent is also about mental strength because players are constantly under scrutiny.”Addressing criticism, Aaqib was blunt. “The criticism is an aftershock; it only comes after a poor performance. Why should I mind it?” he said. “The only way you can avoid being criticised is to do well.”

Drake Maye and Ann Michael Hudson (Getty Images and Instagram)

Drake Maye walks into Sunday Night Football carrying more than momentum. He brings calm, confidence, and a season that has reshaped how New England views its future. As the Patriots prepare for a high-stakes road test against the Baltimore Ravens, the spotlight stretches beyond the field. It now reaches into kitchens, phones, and social feeds where a different kind of buzz has been building around Foxborough.Winning changes everything. At 11-3, the Patriots are no longer chasing respect. They are defending it. Maye’s command has steadied a young roster, even as the AFC East race tightens with Buffalo lurking. Yet amid the pressure of prime time football, something lighter has captured fans’ attention. It comes with flour, frosting, and a warm presence that feels rare in a league driven by noise.

Drake Maye embraces Ann Michael’s rising spotlight

Maye’s numbers tell part of the story. He has thrown for 3,567 yards with 23 touchdowns and just seven interceptions, production that reflects poise rather than flash. Still, the week leading into Baltimore had another storyline. Ann Michael Maye stepped out before the game in a sharp dress paired with black knee-high boots, turning heads without trying to. It matched the effortless appeal she has shown all month online.

Ann Michael Maye turns heads in knee-high boots (Instagram)

Her daily TikTok baking series, known as Bakemas, has taken off during December. Patriots fans flooded the comments, sharing recipes, encouragement, and holiday cheer. Ann Michael even baked Patriots-themed cookies ahead of a big game, blending fandom with warmth in a way that felt genuine. That authenticity is what Maye believes sparked the surge.“I think it happened fast,” Maye said to Sunday Night Football on Fox. “During the Holiday season in the last couple of weeks, it’s taken off. But I think it’s just her being herself. She’s been awesome. She’s been a great addition up here for me. Getting married in the offseason, her coming up here to live in Boston. She’s from the South, (has) southern charm.“She’s just being herself on social media. (She’s) baking for me, and I’m trying to bring some extra baked goods in here, give some to the offensive line or something. But, she’s just being herself, and I love her for it. I tell her that all the time, ‘Don’t change for anything.’ I think she deserves all the support.”The couple married on June 22, 2025, after a relationship that began a decade earlier. With success comes visibility, and Maye welcomes it. He echoed the same pride when speaking with Devin McCourty.“She’s been awesome,” Maye told former Patriots player and current NBC analyst Devin McCourty before the clash with the Ravens. “She’s been a great addition up here for me. Getting married in the offseason, her coming up here to live in Boston. She’s from the South, [has] Southern charm.”As New England pushes toward January, Maye looks steady under the lights. Off the field, Ann Michael’s rise feels just as organic. In a season defined by belief, both have found their rhythm, and fans are enjoying every part of it.Also Read: Detroit Lions QB Jared Goff’s wife Christen reveals how motherhood inspired a complete makeover of both family homes

‘Dhurandhar’ completed its third weekend at the box office by hitting a new high. The Aditya Dhar directorial, starring Ranveer Singh in the lead, has crossed the massive Rs 550 crore milestone at the box office.Dhurandhar Movie Review

‘Dhurandhar’ box office collection Day 17

The film opened its third weekend with a record-breaking Friday collection of Rs 22.50 crores net, nearly 70% higher than the previous third-Friday record holder, ‘Chhaava’. On Saturday, ‘Dhurandhar’ witnessed a surge in its box office collections, registering an estimated 50% jump over Friday’s numbers. The film reportedly collected approximately Rs 34.25 crores net, marking the highest third Saturday collection ever for a Hindi film. According to early box office estimates on Sacnilk, the film saw higher growth on Sunday, collecting an estimated Rs 38.25 crore net across 5,481 shows. As per early reports, the film’s collections were in line with the trade predictions that estimated a collectiion between Rs 38 and Rs 40 crores net. With this, the film wrapped up its the third weekend with nearly Rs 95 crores net.

‘Dhurandhar’ total net collections

Meanwhile, the film topped Rs 550 crores net by the end of its third weekend and standing at an estimated Rs 555 crores net, making it the second-biggest Hindi net grosser of the year so far. The Ranveer Singh-fronted spy actioner is gearing up to claim the top spot and dethrone ‘Chhaava’s that had a total domestic collection of Rs 585 crores.

‘Dhurandhar’ week 3 gross collections

As per the gross total collections, Sacnilk reports that the film earned an impressive Rs 45.90 crore gross on Sunday, following collections of around Rs 27 crore gross on Friday and Rs 41.10 crore on Saturday. This pushed the film’s Week 3 gross total so far to an estimated Rs 114 crore. Meanwhile, the film’s gross total collection thus far, has hit an impressive Rs 666.75 crore.

‘Dhurandhar’ occupancy

Occupancy levels also indicated a boost in the film’s extraordinary run. ‘Dhurandhar’ recorded an overall occupancy of 62.73% on Sunday, with morning shows posting a strong 42.54%. The biggest surge was seen during the afternoon and evening shows, which recorded peak occupancies ranging between 76.92% and 79.54%.

‘Dhurandhar’ International box office

On the international front, ‘Dhurandhar’ hit an overseas collection of Rs 170 crore. Of the said total collections the film earned an estimated Rs 76 crore from just its North American box office collections

‘Dhurandhar’ vs ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’

‘Dhurandhar’ has comfortably outperformed Hollywood biggie ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ during its third weekend. While ‘Dhurandhar’ earned approximately Rs 93 crores net over the weekend, ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’, despite a wide multi-language release in India, managed an estimated Rs 66.65 crores net. This was a nearly a 50% drop compared to the opening weekend performance of its predecessor, ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’, which had posted a pan-India opening weekend net of Rs 126.20 crore. The James Cameron-directed film’s gross total currently stands at an estimated Rs 79.2 crore, as ‘Dhurandhar’ continues to dominate ticket windows with little sign of slowing down.

‘Dhurandhar’ to become highest third week grosser

‘Dhurandhar’ is now inches away from recording the highest third-week collections of all time. Its third-weekend net collection is higher than the entire third-week net collection of all other Hindi films. It is second to only ‘Pushpa 2: The Rule’, which earned Rs 103 crores. Given the film’s sustained momentum, trade analysts believe ‘Dhurandhar’ could surpass ‘Pushpa 2: The Rule’s full third-week total as early as Monday.