KOLKATA: The West Bengal government has decided to stop Kolkata’s 150-year-old tram service in some parts of Kolkata due to vehicular traffic. Transport Minister Snehashish Chakraborty, however, said that no date has been fixed to discontinue the service.
“There is no date fixed to do so. We are not discontinuing tramways from today or tomorrow, we are aware of people’s emotions. Moreover, the matter is also pending before the Calcutta High Court. We will abide by the court direction,” Chakraborty said.
“As roads comprise only 6% 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.
“Tramways are leading to traffic jams and road accidents. It is also not economically viable. Only a stretch at Maidan, Esplanade and Khidirpur will remain,” he added.
The HC, while hearing a PIL, had on December 11 last year suggested that a public-private partnership model can be used to restore and rejuvenate tramcar services in Kolkata.
Responding to a query, the minister said that the state government allows only those commercial vehicles to ply the roads that conform to the pollution norms and encourages the usage of electric vehicles, “which is yielding results”.
Meanwhile, the city residents say that they are going to miss the heritage service, the slow moving tram runs in the city.
All the tram routes are being terminated, except for one. The route from Esplanade to Maidan will be operational as a joyride to experience. The stretch is picturesque, with stunning views of Victoria Memorial and lush greenery. The scenery is beautiful with kids playing cricket and football in Maidan. The white-blue colour trams has been a preferred mode of transport for a large number of people.
On February 24, 2023, Kolkata’s iconic tram service celebrated 150 years. The first tram, drawn by horses, ran on February 24, 1873.
Sharply reacting to the state government’s announcement, the Calcutta Tram Users Association (CUTA) said that it would hold demonstrations before five tram depots across the city in protest. Kaushik Das, an association member of CUTA, said, “If the government repairs and ensures regular upkeep of tramcars lying unused in several depots for several years, they can run the fleet in a smooth manner.”