The West Bengal government is planning to revive Kolkata’s iconic tram network by modernising its infrastructure and introducing contemporary tram carriages. The initiative aims to preserve the city’s historic transport system while promoting tourism and providing an eco-friendly mode of public transport.
State Transport Minister Snehasis Chakraborty said Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES) has been tasked with conducting a feasibility study to examine the revival of old tram routes. Officials said the government intends to renovate existing tracks before introducing modern trams similar to those operating in Australia and several European countries.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
Currently, tram services operate on only two routes—Gariahat to Esplanade and Shyambazar to Esplanade. Once known for an extensive network of around 40 routes, Kolkata’s tram system gradually declined due to the expansion of metro rail services, falling passenger numbers and rising maintenance costs.
Trams have been an integral part of Kolkata’s heritage since the first horse-drawn service was launched in 1873. Electric trams began operating in 1900, and the network expanded over the decades, including its extension to Howrah in 1943. At its peak, the city had hundreds of operational trams serving commuters across Kolkata.
The transport department believes reviving selected routes with upgraded infrastructure could boost tourism while preserving one of the city’s most recognisable symbols. The feasibility report will determine which historic routes can be restored and how the modern tram system can be integrated into Kolkata’s present-day transport network.
