The Crossbill News Desk
Kolkata's 150-year-old tram service, a cherished part of the city's rich culture and history, is set to come to an end. Though the number of trams has dwindled over the years, they continue to stand as a living symbol of Kolkata's heritage, with many considering a visit incomplete without experiencing a tram ride through its streets. Kolkata remains the only city in India where trams still operate.
However, the West Bengal government has announced plans to discontinue the tram service, sparing only a single heritage route between Maidan and Esplanade, as per Transport Minister Snehasis Chakraborty.
This decision has triggered protests from tram enthusiasts, who are gearing up to demonstrate against the move, news agency PTI reported.
Chakraborty explained that trams, introduced in 1873 as horse-drawn carriages, are an important part of Kolkata’s heritage. However, due to the city's limited road space and growing vehicular traffic, the slow-moving trams are causing congestion, especially during peak hours. He emphasized that Kolkata needs faster modes of transport to meet the demands of daily commuters.
“But as roads comprise only 6 per cent of Kolkata’s surface area and with increase in vehicular traffic, we have observed that trams cannot ply the roads along the same routes at the same time as it is leading to congestion,” Chakraborty said while speaking to reporters.
“To ensure that people don’t get late to office during peak hours due to traffic jams, we have to take certain difficult measures, including the withdrawal of trams,” he added.
Chakraborty stated that the issue is now pending before the Calcutta High Court, adding that the state government will make its case in the next hearing. The court, while hearing a PIL in December last year, suggested that a public-private partnership (PPP) model could be explored to restore and rejuvenate tram services. Over the years, tram services have already been discontinued on several routes in the city.
Despite Kolkata's minimal road space compared to other metropolitan cities, Chakraborty praised the Kolkata Police for maintaining traffic flow during rush hours.
Heritage trams will continue to operate between Maidan and Esplanade, offering an eco-friendly and scenic experience. Chakraborty also asserted that the state is encouraging the use of electric vehicles, in line with pollution control norms, and this initiative has shown positive results, the news agency reported.
The Calcutta Tram Users Association (CUTA) sharply criticized the decision, vowing to organize protests at five tram depots across the city. Environmental activist and tram enthusiast Somendra Mohan Ghosh argued that trams are not to blame for traffic congestion, stating that their average speed of 20-30 km/h matches that of other vehicles in Kolkata. He suggested that the government should focus on clearing encroachments and widening roads instead.
CUTA member Kaushik Das echoed these sentiments, urging the government to repair and maintain the tramcars that have been neglected for years. The association has also launched a social media campaign with the hashtag #SaveKolkataTrams and is planning further actions to preserve the iconic transportation system.
However, the West Bengal government has announced plans to discontinue the tram service, sparing only a single heritage route between Maidan and Esplanade, as per Transport Minister Snehasis Chakraborty.
This decision has triggered protests from tram enthusiasts, who are gearing up to demonstrate against the move, news agency PTI reported.
Chakraborty explained that trams, introduced in 1873 as horse-drawn carriages, are an important part of Kolkata’s heritage. However, due to the city's limited road space and growing vehicular traffic, the slow-moving trams are causing congestion, especially during peak hours. He emphasized that Kolkata needs faster modes of transport to meet the demands of daily commuters.
“But as roads comprise only 6 per cent of Kolkata’s surface area and with increase in vehicular traffic, we have observed that trams cannot ply the roads along the same routes at the same time as it is leading to congestion,” Chakraborty said while speaking to reporters.
“To ensure that people don’t get late to office during peak hours due to traffic jams, we have to take certain difficult measures, including the withdrawal of trams,” he added.
Chakraborty stated that the issue is now pending before the Calcutta High Court, adding that the state government will make its case in the next hearing. The court, while hearing a PIL in December last year, suggested that a public-private partnership (PPP) model could be explored to restore and rejuvenate tram services. Over the years, tram services have already been discontinued on several routes in the city.
Despite Kolkata's minimal road space compared to other metropolitan cities, Chakraborty praised the Kolkata Police for maintaining traffic flow during rush hours.
Heritage trams will continue to operate between Maidan and Esplanade, offering an eco-friendly and scenic experience. Chakraborty also asserted that the state is encouraging the use of electric vehicles, in line with pollution control norms, and this initiative has shown positive results, the news agency reported.
The Calcutta Tram Users Association (CUTA) sharply criticized the decision, vowing to organize protests at five tram depots across the city. Environmental activist and tram enthusiast Somendra Mohan Ghosh argued that trams are not to blame for traffic congestion, stating that their average speed of 20-30 km/h matches that of other vehicles in Kolkata. He suggested that the government should focus on clearing encroachments and widening roads instead.
CUTA member Kaushik Das echoed these sentiments, urging the government to repair and maintain the tramcars that have been neglected for years. The association has also launched a social media campaign with the hashtag #SaveKolkataTrams and is planning further actions to preserve the iconic transportation system.
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