Archive · 29 Dec 2025
Kolkata's Iconic Trams Face Closure Amid Modernisation
Kolkata, a city in India, has had trams for over 150 years.
These trams were once very important for getting around the city.
Now, the government wants to close most of them and keep only a small part as a reminder of the past.
Some people are very sad about this because they love the trams and remember riding them as kids.
Others think the city needs newer, faster ways to travel.
The courts will decide what happens next.
Kolkata's 152-year-old tram network, Asia's oldest, faces closure with only a heritage route to be preserved.
Residents and heritage groups are fighting in court to save the trams, citing their cultural significance.
The network once had over 340 trams covering the entire city, now reduced to about 10 on two routes.
Government prioritises modern infrastructure, investing in metro expansion and wider roads.
The Calcutta Tram Users Association (CTUA) has campaigned since 2016 to save the tram system.
- Who
- Residents, heritage groups, West Bengal government, Calcutta Tram Users Association (CTUA)
- What
- Potential closure of Kolkata's 152-year-old tram network, preservation of a heritage route
- When
- Decision pending, court battle ongoing (since 2016)
- Where
- Kolkata, West Bengal, India
- Why
- Modernisation priorities, traffic congestion, infrastructure upgrades
- Year Introduced
- 1873 (horse-drawn), electrified in 1902
- Peak Fleet Size
- 340+ trams
- Current Fleet Size
- 10 trams
- Current Routes
- 2
- Last Working Depot
- Gariahat
- Campaign Start Year
- 2016
- Government Plan
- Preserve a short heritage route, shut down the rest
