Kolkata's trams are more than a heritage symbol—they are a clean, affordable, and sustainable mode of public transport. As India's last surviving tram network and one of the world's oldest electric tram systems, they represent a unique opportunity to combine heritage preservation with modern urban mobility.

 

At a time when cities around the world are investing in low-emission public transport, West Bengal should modernize and expand its tram network rather than dismantle it. We welcome recent discussions regarding tram revival and urge the Government of West Bengal to take concrete action.

 

We call upon the Government of West Bengal to:

 

• Publish a Tram Revival and Modernization White Paper.

 

• Protect all remaining tram tracks, corridors, depots, and related infrastructure.

 

• Restore 5–10 strategic tram routes across Kolkata in a phased manner.

 

• Introduce modern low-floor, air-conditioned electric trams.

 

• Integrate tram services with the Kolkata Metro, buses, ferries, and suburban railways.

 

• Create dedicated tram corridors where feasible to improve speed and reliability.

 

• Conduct feasibility studies for tram/light rail systems in:

 

- Asansol

- Durgapur

- Siliguri

- Kalyani

- New Town

 

Why this matters:

 

• Cleaner air and lower carbon emissions.

 

• Reduced traffic congestion.

 

• Affordable and accessible public transport.

 

• Preservation of Kolkata's unique identity and heritage.

 

• Increased tourism and economic activity.

 

• Sustainable urban development for future generations.

 

Trams should not be preserved merely as a tourist attraction. They should be revived as a modern, efficient, and environmentally friendly transport solution for the 21st century.

 

By signing this petition, you support a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future for West Bengal.

 

Save Kolkata's Trams. Modernize Them. Expand Them. Preserve Them.