Trams to wind up in Kolkata, except for a heritage route
The 150-year-old tram service in Kolkata is set to end soon, as the state government has decided to discontinue it, according to state Transport Minister Snehasis Chakraborty in an interview to the news agency PTI.
However, the route between Esplanade and Maidan, being an iconic heritage route, will remain operational, providing a pleasant and eco-friendly travel option. Local tram enthusiasts are planning to protest against this decision.
Chakraborty explained that though “trams are undeniably a part of Kolkata’s heritage”, in today’s context, being slow-moving, they contribute to traffic congestion, especially during peak hours, and are, therefore, no longer viable; commuters need faster transportation options.
“With roads making up only 6 per cent of Kolkata’s surface area and increasing vehicular traffic, we’ve seen that trams sharing routes with other vehicles are causing congestion,” he said.
Trams were introduced in Kolkata by the colonial British rulers in 1873 as horse-drawn carriages, and they played a crucial role in transportation in the last century.
Kolkata is now the only city in India that still runs trams. There were 37 tram routes in Kolkata in 2011, which declined to only two after the pandemic in 2022.
Chakraborty also noted that the matter is currently under review by the Calcutta High Court, and the state government will present its case at the next hearing.
The minister further pointed out that despite Kolkata having the least road space among major cities, the police have effectively managed traffic, even during rush hours.
