Poet Laureate Rabindranath Tagore once referred to trams as a “link between life and literature,” depicting the bustling roads of Kolkata where trams “hurtle down like snakes.” Similarly, the tram system was a central theme in poet Jibanananda Das’s renowned work, *Banalata Sen*, though tragically, he lost his life in a tram accident in 1954. Decades later, a modern Bengali writer compared the iconic trams to a prehistoric reptile, calling it a “Prak Oitihasik Sorisreep.”
However, the rich literary legacy surrounding trams is now threatened as the Bengal Government has announced plans to discontinue this “space-guzzling” vehicle, which is arguably the only surviving eco-friendly transportation service in Kolkata—and indeed, the entire country.
Bengal Transport Minister Snehashis Chakrabarty explained that the government’s decision to phase out tram services stems from operational concerns, including their slow speed and large spatial footprint. “Trams have been a part of Kolkata’s heritage since their inception in 1873, but one must also consider the operational costs and the limited road space available in a city where only six percent of the surface area is comprised of roads,” he noted. This lack of space has contributed to significant traffic congestion, especially in North Kolkata. “To prevent delays during peak hours due to traffic jams, these difficult measures have been taken,” the minister justified.
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While the full tram service will be discontinued, a short 3-kilometer route from Esplanade to Maidan will remain operational for heritage and tourism purposes. The minister clarified that no immediate closure date has been set, emphasizing that the decision has been under consideration for several years. Several tram routes in North Kolkata were previously phased out without notice to avoid public backlash.
Although discussions about phasing out trams date back to the Left regime, it was the Trinamool Congress (TMC) Government that accelerated the withdrawal process, particularly after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee voiced concerns about tram tracks being a hazard on busy roads like Hazra Road, which leads to her Kalighat residence. She remarked that bikers could easily skid due to the tram lines.
Kolkata was the first city in India to introduce trams on February 24, 1873, initially using horse-drawn vehicles. The tram system evolved over the years, transitioning to steam power in 1882 and electric power in 1900. The introduction of air-conditioned trams in 2013 marked the latest modernization effort.
While trams once operated in colonial cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Madras, Patna, and Nashik, they have all but vanished from these locales as faster transport options emerged. In contrast, Kolkata has held onto its “heritage and cultural icon” until now.
Tram advocates have voiced their opposition to the government’s decision. “We attempted to restore trams to their former glory through initiatives like AC restaurants on trams and proposals for ‘weddings on trams,’ but these were ignored,” said a member of the tram users association. He added, “At fares of only Rs 6 and 7, trams are among the cheapest transport options in the city, yet the government is trying to phase them out, which we will not allow.”
Naresh Singh, a 90-year-old former tram pilot, shared, “We witnessed the tram evolve from wooden to steel carriages in the early 1980s. We loved trams and dedicated our service to them, but the government must also recognize their importance as an eco-friendly and affordable transport option.” He recalled how even a one-paisa fare hike in the 1960s led to massive unrest, with protesters torching trams.
In response to public concerns, the Calcutta High Court has suggested that the state government explore public-private partnerships to preserve the tram system. A public interest litigation (PIL) filed in 2022 continues to address these issues. The petitioner, Sulagna Mukherjee, pointed out that as cities worldwide increasingly embrace tram services for their environmental benefits, the state government is moving in the opposite direction.
Activists have vowed to escalate their protests against the tram discontinuation. “We will not allow the government to eliminate trams; this move seems aimed at reclaiming prime tram depot lands for development projects that benefit builders and politicians,” asserted Archishman Chatterjee, a college student involved in recent protests at Shyambazar crossing. “We will also demand the reintroduction of double-decker buses that were discontinued a decade ago.”
As Kolkata grapples with the potential loss of its iconic trams, the clash between heritage preservation and modern urban planning continues to unfold.
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