Daily Morning News

150-yrs old Kolkata Trams to be officially discontinued by West Bengal Govt announced CM! (Started in 1873, the heritage will come to an end!)

West Bengal government has announced plans to discontinue Kolkata's 150-year-old tram service, with the exception of a single heritage route between Maidan and Esplanade, according to Transport Minister Snehasis Chakraborty. This decision has sparked protests from tram enthusiasts, who are determined to oppose the move. Kolkata remains the only city in India where trams are still operational.

Chakraborty explained that the slow-moving trams are causing traffic jams during peak hours, which has led to the decision to phase them out in favor of faster modes of transportation. He acknowledged the tram's historical significance, having been introduced in 1873 as horse-drawn carriages, but noted that Kolkata's limited road space, just 6% of the city's surface area, cannot accommodate both trams and the increasing number of vehicles without causing congestion.