Relief for Kolkata’s anxious tram employees, enthusiasts as service resumes after long delay

Kolkata tram service resumes after Durga Puja suspension, uncertain future awaits as government shows reluctance to keep it alive.

At 6.05 a.m. on Tuesday (October 22, 2024), a section of people in Kolkata heaved a sigh of relief as tram service — or whatever little remains of it — finally resumed two long weeks after being suspended for Durga Puja.

These are people — tram employees and tram lovers — who are hoping against hope that the tram service will stay in what is often called the City of Joy. Whether the 152-year-old tram will continue running or not is a matter awaiting judgement from the Calcutta High Court. But the West Bengal government has made it clear that it does not want to keep this mode of transport alive.

The present tram network — just three routes, with only two functional — was suspended on October 7, 2024, for the fear of traffic congestion during Durga Puja. When services did not resume on the morning of October 16, there was fear among the staff and tram enthusiasts that the tram was now in its grave. This is how it often happened in the past: almost all routes that no longer exist today were first shut ‘temporarily’ and never returned to life.

But on Monday (October 21, 2024) evening, the tram depots received official communication for resumption of service on the two active routes from Tuesday (October 22, 2024) morning. The staff forwarded jubilant messages with heart and rose emojis among themselves and to well-wishers. At 6.05 a.m. on Tuesday (October 22, 2024), a tram left the Gariahat depot for Esplanade; shortly afterward, another left Esplanade depot for Shyam Bazar.

In all, 10 trams remained active on these two routes throughout the day and, according to urban transport activist Arghyadip Hatua, Tuesday’s (October 22, 2024) performance was the best ever since service resumed after the COVID-19 lockdown. To add to the delight of tram enthusiasts like him, even the Ballygunge-Tollygunge line, one of the three routes still alive but which was suspended some months ago due to pipeline work, was tested on Tuesday (October 22, 2024) morning and is mostly likely to resume on Wednesday (October 23, 2024).

“The Kolkata tram is still on ventilator support, and while we welcome the resumption of service, we are not overly excited. The government has played tricks with us before — they had promised resumption of other routes but they did not. We will, therefore, remain cautious and our advocacy will continue,” said Mr. Hatua, an enthusiastic member of the Calcutta Tram Users’ Association.

“World over, trams are making a comeback with a vengeance. Improving public transport is a proven doctrine for urban planners globally, and the tram sits at the heart of it. The Kolkata tram, in fact, can show India the way,” he added.