150-year-old tram will not run with passengers in the heart of Kolkata?
September 24, 20242 Mins Read
International Desk:  India's West Bengal state government has decided to stop the 150-year-old tram service in Kolkata. It will run on a traditional route only from the town square to the Esplanade area. State Transport Minister Snehashis Chakraborty said this on Monday. On the other hand, Trump lovers have announced to take to the streets against this decision.

Kolkata is the only city in India where trams still run. Chakraborty said slow trams, which create traffic jams on the roads, are not feasible in the current conditions. Because passengers need fast transportation.

Chakraborty told reporters on Monday evening, 'Trams are undoubtedly part of Calcutta's heritage, having been introduced as horse-drawn carriages in 1873 and playing an important role in transportation in the previous century.

But only 6 percent of Kolkata's road surface area is used as roads. Due to the increase in the number of vehicles, we have seen that the trams are not running on the same route. It is causing traffic jams.'
The Transport Minister said that the issue regarding the tram is currently under trial in the Calcutta High Court and the state government will give a statement on the matter in the next hearing.

On December 11 last year, the High Court, while hearing a public interest litigation, suggested that a public-private partnership (PPP) model could be used to restore and revive tram services in Kolkata.
The minister also said that despite having the least road space among the metropolitan cities, the Kolkata Police maintained traffic flow even during peak hours. 'So that people don't get late to the office due to traffic jams. We are forced to take some tough steps, including the decision to stop trams.'

Meanwhile, tram services have already been suspended on several routes in the city.

However, traditional trams will run between the city's Maidan and Esplanade areas, so that people can experience a comfortable and eco-friendly journey.

In reply to a question, the minister said that the state government allows only those commercial vehicles to use the road. which complies with pollution regulations and encourages the use of electric vehicles, 'which is already paying off'.

On the other hand, strongly reacting against the state's announcement, the Kolkata Tram Users Association said that they will protest in front of five tram depots in the city. Environmental activist and tram lover Somendra Mohan Ghosh told PTI, 'We will not let this happen. If the state government is really serious about decongesting traffic, they can remove the encroachments and widen the roads. Trams, which are polluting, are not slow. Because their average speed is 20-30 km per hour, which is the same as the average speed of city cars.'

Kaushik Das, a member of the association, said, 'If the government repairs the tramcars and ensures regular maintenance of the trams that have been obsolete for years, they can run the fleet of trams smoothly.'

The association also launched a hashtag campaign to save Kolkata's trams. Kaushik said, 'We will start the movement to save the tram within this week.'