Kolkata: In a push for clean urban mobility, the state has engaged RITES (Rail India Technical and Economic Service) to prepare a blueprint for the revival of trams in the city. The initiative aims at modernising and restoring Asia-Pacific’s oldest surviving tram network, integrating it into Kolkata’s rapidly expanding electric transit ecosystem.“Our immediate priority is to revive all existing, traditional tram routes,” transport minister Arjun Singh told TOI as he outlined a phased roadmap for the project. “Once the core operational area is stabilised, we will plan expansions to Salt Lake and New Town.” The govt, he said, was also exploring the feasibility of extending the network to cater to religious tourism. The transport department and RITES are assessing the expediency of building tram tracks along the Hooghly and Adi Ganga, to link Kalighat and Dakshineswar. “Kolkata’s historic streetcars might soon reclaim their rightful place in the city, with the technical backing of RITES and political will, aligned with PM Narendra Modi’s poll campaign promises and CM Suvendu Adhikari’s clean mobility vision,” Singh said.The govt is positioning the tram revival not only as a nod to heritage but also as a practical solution to urban congestion. Describing trams as “original e-vehicles”, Singh said, “Trams offer unmatched accessibility, making it easy for the elderly to board and alight. A single tram can ferry more people than three buses together. Paired with the Kolkata Metro, it will create a seamless, eco-friendly transit ecosystem.” Financing the project would not be a hurdle, the transport minister claimed. “Our finance minister, Swapan Dasgupta, is a proponent of this initiative. Money will be the last thing standing in the way of trams’ revival,” Singh said.Beyond daily transit, the state is also looking at trams as means for global tourism potential. Singh said they hoped to seek a Unesco World Heritage tag for the network. “Just imagine the cultural and tourism draw by our Durga Puja and the historic tramway,” he said.To sustain operations, the state is looking at diversified business models, including PPP. “Several domestic and international firms have expressed interest in operating Kolkata trams,” Singh said. Private players will pay a levy to the govt in exchange for advertising rights on the fleet and at prime depots.” Singh said a probe would be conducted into allegedly illegal sale of prime tram depot land by the previous administration, pointing out the act violated high court and Supreme Court orders. “The previous regime did everything wrong to congest the city. We needed high-capacity public transport for rapid passenger dispersal, but they allowed an unsustainable explosion of autos and totos on major roads,” Singh claimed.
