Kolkata’s iconic tram service, which has been operational for over 150 years, is nearing its end. The West Bengal government has decided to discontinue most of the tram routes due to increasing traffic congestion on the city’s narrow roads. Only a single route, between Esplanade and Maidan, will continue to operate as a heritage joyride. The majority of the city’s tram services have already been shut down over the years, with the number of operational routes shrinking significantly after the pandemic.
This decision has stirred protests from various environmental and heritage groups, as trams were once a symbol of Kolkata’s unique identity. However, the state government cited the need to alleviate traffic jams and the challenges of maintaining the tram infrastructure as key reasons for this move. The exact date for the complete stop of passenger services on other routes hasn’t been finalised yet, but the phase-out process has already started, with most routes being discontinued over the years. The future of the remaining route is also pending a legal decision in the Calcutta High Court. (Hindustan Times) (India Today)
Feature image: A vintage tram entering the B.B.D Bag terminus in 2009| Courtesy: wiki
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