Last week, authorities in Kolkata revealed plans to phase out the city’s iconic trams, preserving only a small heritage loop. In response, activists are pushing to keep trams as a key mode of transport, not just a nostalgic attraction. Journalist Sandip Roy sheds light on the ongoing battle.

In February 2023, Kolkata marked 150 years of its tramways with celebrations, including music, a vintage tram beauty parade, and Roberto D’Andrea, a tram conductor from Melbourne, Australia. Kolkata and Melbourne share a rich tramway history, with Melbourne’s dating back to 1885 and Kolkata’s first horse-drawn tram starting in 1873.

But the similarities end there. While Melbourne’s tram system thrives—upgraded and even solar-powered—Kolkata’s is under threat. West Bengal’s Transport Minister Snehasis Chakraborty explained that despite the rising population and vehicle count, Kolkata's road space remains stagnant at 6%, far below Mumbai’s 18% and Delhi’s 10%. Both cities once had trams, with Mumbai featuring double-deckers, but both eventually scrapped them, leaving Kolkata as the last Indian city with operational trams. For many, trams have become symbolic of Kolkata itself, alongside landmarks like Howrah Bridge and Victoria Memorial.

Kolkata’s trams have left their mark on cinema, too. Filmmaker Anjan Dutt has featured trams in his movies, and Satyajit Ray’s *Mahanagar* (1963) famously opens with a striking tram sequence. The Belgachia tram depot, once a hub for tram maintenance, is now frequently used as a film set. As former tram worker Subir Bose noted, “A Kolkata film means they have to show a tram.”

Historically, trams played a crucial role in the city’s identity. In 1902, Kolkata, then Calcutta, became the first Asian city with electric trams. The Calcutta Tramways Company was even listed on the London Stock Exchange until 1968. Trams didn’t just transport people; they connected the city. During the 1947 partition riots, tram workers patrolled the city in empty trams to maintain peace, often risking their lives to protect others.

For Gopal Ram, a retired tram driver, the tramways are a family legacy. His great-grandfather worked in the steam-powered tram era, and the tradition continued through four generations. Ram’s emotional connection reflects the broader sentiment in Kolkata, where trams have become ingrained in the city’s social fabric.

Yet, as transport consultant Suvendu Seth pointed out, trams faced global decline in the 1950s and 60s as cars became more popular. While many cities are now reintroducing light rail systems, Kolkata risks neglecting what it already has. Seth suggests solutions like designating pedestrian-only streets where trams can run freely.

Debashis Bhattacharyya, a retired academic and president of the Calcutta Tram Users Association, believes trams survived this long because they linked the city’s schools, hospitals, and cinemas. When the Communist government tried to declare trams obsolete in the 1990s, Bhattacharyya fought back, organizing exhibitions and bringing in foreign experts. He even argued that trams should be nominated for UNESCO heritage status.

Cultural events like the Tramjatra festival, spearheaded by filmmaker Mahadeb Shi and Roberto D’Andrea, have helped renew interest in trams. Art students paint trams, and local bands perform in them, with each festival themed around something significant, such as Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore or the Durga Puja festival.

Despite some successes, like reopening a tram route in north Kolkata and initiatives such as a tram library, progress remains slow. The West Bengal government, while promoting green mobility, has shifted its focus to electric buses and cars, as well as expanding the metro.

Activists argue that trams remain one of the greenest transport options. Yet the government seems more interested in tuk-tuks, which generate jobs and votes, and tram depots occupy valuable real estate. However, a legal challenge is ongoing, with the Calcutta High Court forming an advisory committee to explore ways to restore tram services.

As former tram worker Subir Bose reflects, Kolkata’s trams are more than just a mode of transport; they are part of the city’s soul. Losing them would be like losing a piece of Kolkata’s identity—alongside the Howrah Bridge and the Victoria Memorial.