A notable body of tram enthusiasts in Kolkata enquired why the West Bengal government is bent on shutting down an environment-friendly mode of transport, albeit the Calcutta High Court directive that efforts be taken to preserve it.
Calcutta Tram Users’ Association in a press conference on July 25 noted that the high court had formed an advisory committee in 2023 to submit a report to the court as to how the tram services can be restored and preserved in the city of Kolkata.
At the press meet, the members of the association highlighted that the government ignored the recommendations of the Committee Members.
Earlier this month, a report emerged that the State government was planning to shut down the 151-year-old tramway, except for preserving one route for the purpose of tourism; and considering that it did not deny the report, it is being assumed that the iconic Kolkata tram is soon going to say goodbye to the city and to India.
July 25th’s press conference was the association’s first move against the possibility of the tram’s closure.
Members present spoke about several cities in the world, which had tram services have progressively enhanced and modernised their tram infrastructure, such as Berlin, Melbourne and Hong Kong.
Some other cities, like Sydney and London, have reopened their trams with contemporary infrastructure after they had been completely closed.
But West Bengal appears set for an irrational decision to remove trams from the city rather than reopening the service.
State government’s take on the issue
The state government is of the view that it would replace trams with electronic trolley buses, as it has no plans to extend the existing tram routes in the city since the streets are already congested.
Although it notes that this is an environment friendly transport mode, tram services can only be continued if its routes could be extended.
Another drawback which the government highlights of continuing with trams services is its speed.
The government is not willing to continue with a slow-moving transport system, as none wants to use it in this fast-moving world. Also, owing to its speed, trams also lead to traffic congestion.
Lack of road space for tram lines was also given as a measure.
Hence, the government is advocating for an electronic-trolley bus, which is supposed to come from Poland.
The plan is to run a pilot project on an experimental basis of operating this trolley buses using the overhead electric wires which are already in place for trams.
Kolkata trams
The Kolkata tram dates back to 1873 when a horse-drawn car ran from Sealdah to Armenian Ghat Street, a distance of about 4 km. During the peak of its popularity, in the 1970s, this mode of transport boasted over 50 routes across the city.
The past two decades alone saw a sharp dip in the number of trams with the need of the hour to transform Kolkata’s central landscape with the revival of trams.
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